Tag Archive for: All-Weather Championships Finals Day

Diligent Harry holds on for front-running Sprint verdict

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Diligent Harry was given an inspired ride by Kieran Shoemark to win a hot renewal of the BetUK All-Weather Sprint Championships Conditions Stakes at Newcastle.

Away well in the six-furlong event that brought All-Weather Championships Finals Day to a close, the 4-1 shot soon found himself on the front end and Shoemark seized the initiative aboard Clive Cox’s five-year-old to dictate matters.

At a track where it can be notoriously difficult to win from the front, Diligent Harry showed plenty of resolve when the talented cast of sprinters began to make their respective challenges and the son of Due Diligence always had extra in reserve – responding gamely to Shoemark’s urgings to repel both Witch Hunter and 7-4 favourite Annaf in a thrilling finish.

Diligent Harry and connections after winning the BetUK All-Weather Sprint Championships Conditions Stakes at Newcastle
Diligent Harry and connections after winning the BetUK All-Weather Sprint Championships Conditions Stakes at Newcastle (PA)

It was the second time the gelding has scooped prize-money on Finals Day having landed the three-year-old division at Lingfield in 2021 and his next outing could be in York’s 1895 Duke of York Clipper Stakes on May 18.

Cox said: “Nothing jumped well enough to lead him, ideally you’d be looking for something to give him a lead but it was wonderful.

“That’s twice on Good Friday now he’s collected. At Lingfield a couple of years ago and now here. Now I’m really looking forward to the summer with him.

“I think there’s a big pot on the turf to win with him. We’ve always thought highly of him and we’ve campaigned him accordingly. With a little bit of confidence, I think he can be exciting for the rest of the summer.

“He’s in the Duke of York but it’s exciting now, he’ll have got some confidence from that.

“Gelding has certainly helped him and he’s matured. I’m really excited.”

Shoemark said: “That was probably plan D. It didn’t go to plan at all, as Diligent Harry usually pulls himself up in front. I was talking to the other jockeys in the stalls and absolutely no one wanted to go forward. He pinged the gates and I had no choice in it.

“He travelled like a dream today, quickened really good from the two to the one, but I just felt that he was waiting for another horse in the last furlong.

“I had committed to him in all fairness, even though Vadream was in the race, and I was always going to ride him. I am just delighted for the whole team. He was the class horse in the race and he deserves it.”

Notre Belle Bete claims Classic honours

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Notre Belle Bete landed a gamble to win the BetUK All-Weather Easter Classic Middle Distance Championships Conditions Stakes in taking fashion at Newcastle.

Andrew Balding’s five-year-old was well supported ahead of the race and eventually went off the 9-4 joint-favourite in the hands of Oisin Murphy.

Trying the 10-furlong distance for just the second time, the son of Zoffany was ridden with supreme confidence by the in-form jockey, travelling into contention with real ease before staying every yard of the trip when asked to stride on by Murphy.

Notre Belle Bete was well in control inside the distance, registering a one-length verdict over Simon and Ed Crisford’s Base Note to provide both Balding and owners King Power Racing with a second win in the £200,000 contest after Bangkok’s success in 2021.

Balding was represented by his wife Anna Lisa, who said: “He loves the all-weather and has been working really well at home, he’s clearly thrived for going up in trip.

“I have to say hats off to Shannon (James) who looks after him because he looked a million dollars in the paddock today and won best turned out.

“He hasn’t won for a year, so she’s clearly got him on great terms with himself.

Notre Belle Bete and jockey Oisin Murphy after winning the BetUK All-Weather Easter Classic Middle Distance Championships Conditions Stakes at Newcastle Racecourse
Notre Belle Bete and jockey Oisin Murphy after winning the BetUK All-Weather Easter Classic Middle Distance Championships Conditions Stakes at Newcastle Racecourse (Richard Sellers/PA)

“It’s a great race to win for King Power and great for Oisin, he’s riding well, he’s certainly not out of practice, it’s fantastic.

“He was just beaten in the Lincoln Trial but I think this was the aim (rather than the Lincoln) – with the prize-money they put on you can’t ignore it. It’s fantastic.”

Murphy added: “He was a bit unlucky at Wolverhampton when the pace was strong and I met trouble in the straight.

“Stepping up to 10 furlongs today, he was a dream to ride and it was a very easy success.

“I felt it would suit him. Ten furlongs, even if they go slow early, is a long way at Newcastle, it takes some getting, but he got to the line well.

“Many big handicaps on turf are over a mile, so he’d have a lot of weight in those but he deserves to be at the big meetings.

“He’s easy to ride and it went very straightforward.”

Rainbow Dreamer secures Marathon gold medal

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Hollie Doyle got on the scoresheet at Newcastle as she guided Rainbow Dreamer to victory in the BetUK All-Weather Marathon Championships Conditions Stakes.

Alan King’s 10-year-old has been an ever-present in long-distance events on the synthetics and he was notching up his 13th career success and sixth with Doyle in the saddle.

Anchored towards the rear as Withhold and defending champion Earlofthecotswolds set a blistering pace, Doyle was able to slowly ease her mount into the contest and the Barbury Castle veteran was able to come into his own in the closing stages as he pulled out extra to hold off Olly Murphy’s Fleurman.

It was third time lucky for the 10-1 winner, who had finished fifth in the All-Weather Championships Finals Day contest 12 months ago and fourth in 2021 when the race was held at Lingfield.

For Doyle it was a third success since returning from the elbow injury she suffered in January and she was delighted to pick up another big staying pot at Gosforth Park having won the Northumberland Plate aboard the King-trained Trueshan last summer.

She said: “He’s an old legend, he’s 10 now and it seems like I’ve been riding him since I was an apprentice.

“Unfortunately I missed him this winter as I was away (in Japan and then injured), so it is very good of Alan and the owners to put me back on.

Rainbow Dreamer and Hollie Doyle after winning the BetUK All-Weather Marathon Championships Conditions Stakes at Newcastle
Rainbow Dreamer and Hollie Doyle after winning the BetUK All-Weather Marathon Championships Conditions Stakes at Newcastle (Richard Sellers/PA)

“I know there was loads of pace on and for a stayer he is a horse who can travel a bit, so I was never too worried. I got there too soon really but he deserved to win a big one today.

“I’m really lucky. I’ve been out for a while but thankfully this one was waiting for me when I got back.

“He’s run in this race a few times and he’s been knocking on the door, he’s very consistent. I think the strong pace helped him in the end.

“We’ve had a fair bit of luck up here together, with Trueshan winning the Plate.”

Murphy felt Fleurman had simply been beaten by a superior rival on the day, but some big Flat prizes remain in his sights.

He said: “He ran an absolute cracker. He has been seriously progressive on the all-weather. They went a good gallop and I thought he would win a furlong down, but Alan’s horse just kept going and we couldn’t get by him.

“We were second best on the day, but he ran an absolute belter. Whether we look at a Northumberland Plate back here or Royal Ascot, I am not sure, but he’s a progressive horse and hopefully his progression hasn’t stopped yet.”

Desert Cop speeds to All-Weather Finals Day success

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Desert Cop blitzed the opposition to win the talkSPORT All-Weather 3 Year Old Championships Conditions Stakes in fine style at Newcastle.

Andrew Balding’s son of Oasis Dream possesses a speedy pedigree and advertised his potential with a bloodless victory at Kempton in February – and it was more of the same at Gosforth Park as he landed the £150,000 contest won by some handy speedsters over the years.

After Shaquille, one of the market leaders failed to enter the stalls and was withdrawn at the start, it was Mick Appleby’s Michaela’s Boy that led the field along in the early stages.

However, Oisin Murphy aboard the 11-1 winner was always travelling smoothly tracking the pace, and having gone for home approaching the one-furlong pole, the race was soon over as a contest – with the Jeff Smith-owned colt scorching clear of the running-on 2-1 favourite Shouldvebeenaring, who stayed on into second, beaten one and three-quarter lengths.

Balding was represented by his wife Anna-Lisa, who said: “It’s always great to get winners for Jeff (Smith, owner) as he’s so enthusiastic but sadly he’s not here today. We had a disappointment in the first (race) but for Desert Cop to go and do that is fantastic.

“Oisin got off him and was very complimentary, I think it will be an exciting year for him.

“I think today was definitely going to answer questions for the trainer as to what we do in the future, so I imagine we’ll get him home and have a look at everything. Jeff is so involved – usually 20 minutes after the race he has an idea!

“He had something to find on the figures but he’d shown enough at home to warrant running”

Arabian Storm failed to fire in the opening Burradon Stakes for the team of owner, trainer and jockey, but he was reported to be none the worse after coming home ninth.

Balding added: “The first race was really disappointing as he’s a lovely horse, by Kingman out of Arabian Queen and he’s worked very well, but we’re not dealing with machines, he’s pulled up fine.”

Desert Cop and Oisin Murphy
Desert Cop and Oisin Murphy (Richard Sellers/PA)

Murphy believes there is plenty more to come from Desert Cop in the future.

He said: “Desert Cop is massively on the upgrade and that was a really good performance. I am so pleased for Jeff Smith and all his team at Littleton Stud. They do a fantastic job at breeding these horses and he is really one to look forward to.

“It was very hard to judge the form of Desert Cop’s first three starts, but we knew he was improving at home. I loved his attitude today; I still had plenty of horse at the line, and that bodes well for the future. I am not sure what Andrew’s plans are but he’s definitely on the improve and six furlongs suits him well.”

Richard Hannon was “delighted” with the effort of Shouldvebeenaring.

He said: “He might have bumped into a decent horse. He travelled very well and once again he’s run another super solid race.

“There are a lot of options with him during the year now. The owners rightfully are very pleased with him and he will be a lot of fun during the summer.”

Dear My Friend sparks Derby dream for Middleham Park Racing

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Dear My Friend marked himself as a smart prospect by winning the talkSPORT Burradon Stakes, the opening event on All-Weather Championships Finals Day at Newcastle.

Trained by Charlie Johnston, the son of Pivotal won his first two outings at two before being highly tried in Pattern company in his final three starts of the campaign.

Placed efforts at Deauville and in Newmarket’s Zetland Stakes was enough to convince connections to add the colt to the Derby earlier this week and he justified that belief at Gosforth Park.

James Doyle was in no rush aboard the Middleham Park Racing-owned charge in the early stages, but came home with a flourish and his proven stamina saw him always holding Karl Burke’s runner-up Flight Plan inside the final furlong.

The winning rider said: “We got squashed at the start. It was a funny race, we dawdled and then one took off which opened the race up. We got sucked into the race nicely and I knew his stamina would come into play, he galloped out strong.

“You’d think he’d stay 10 furlongs fine but he’s quite a strong traveller so over 12 he would have to settle better, he was quite fresh today with it being his first run. He would need to relax a bit better but these Johnston horses do stay well.”

A 100-1 shot for Epsom prior to this Listed event, Paddy Power were suitably impressed with the performance and shortened Dear My Friend to 40-1 for the Classic on June 3.

Dear My Friend ridden by James Doyle (centre) wins the talkSPORT Burradon Stakes at Newcastle Racecourse
Dear My Friend ridden by James Doyle (centre) wins the talkSPORT Burradon Stakes at Newcastle Racecourse (Richard Sellers/PA)

He will now test his credentials for that assignment in a Derby trial, with Johnston nominating York’s Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes on May 18 as a next port of call.

“Fair play to Mike (Prince, of Middleham Park) as when I phoned him this week to say we were putting him in the Dante, he said let him have a think about the Derby and I’ll ring back. That was solely his idea,” said Johnston.

“Looking at that today, 10 furlongs looks perfect but 12 might be just too far. A lot went wrong today, he got flattened at the start, he was quite far back and had to make up a lot of ground through the middle of the race. I thought that might tell in the last 100 yards.

“Fair play to the horse, he knuckled down. The obvious thing would be to go to the Dante next but I’ll speak to Mike first.”

Prince, representing the owners, added: “He was always keen as a two-year-old but he had cover today. It was a messy race, they crawled and then sprinted but his stamina came into play. He’s got a lovely, long stride.

“We put him in the Dante and Derby this week and he’ll certainly go for a Derby trial and the plan is to go to Epsom, we think he’ll stay. I was worried he’d be too keen to stay but he showed today with cover he’s fine.

“We’ve never had a runner in the Derby so that would be a first for us, it would be a dream come true.

“We had a stellar season last year, our best ever, and we thought it might be tough to top that but we’ve started well.”

Arabian Storm geared up for Burradon test that could lead to Classic challenge

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Arabian Storm attempts to build on an impressive course victory as Classic aspirations are put to the test in the talkSPORT Burradon Stakes which kicks off Newcastle’s All-Weather Championships Finals Day action.

Andrew Balding’s charge was beaten a neck in a red-hot Newmarket maiden on debut in October before reappearing at Gosforth Park last month to register a taking three-length success and book his ticket to what looks a strong running of this one-mile Listed event.

The Kingman colt – who is out of owner Jeff Smith’s Juddmonte International-winning mare Arabian Queen – now looks to earn a return to the Rowley Mile for the Qipco 2000 Guineas on May 6, with connections hopeful they have a potentially smart operator on their hands.

“We’ve been very encouraged by his work at home and feel he is a very nice prospect going forward,” said Smith’s racing manager, David Bowe.

“We thought the Burradon was the right race for him as a trial and we go there reasonably confident we have the real McCoy, he seems to be a really nice horse.

“He has a Guineas entry and obviously we wouldn’t give him that without thinking he was a really nice horse, but the weekend will tell us exactly we need to know.

“But at this moment in time, judged on his home work and everything, we are confident we have a nice horse on our hands. Is he a Classic horse? Wouldn’t that be wonderful, but we’re hoping so.”

Charlie Johnston is doubly represented by Benacre, who signed off last year with back-to-back victories in nursery handicaps, and the Middleham Park Racing-owned Derby entry Dear My Friend.

Charlie Johnston saddles two in the talkSPORT Burradon Stakes
Charlie Johnston saddles two in the talkSPORT Burradon Stakes (Mike Egerton/PA)

The twice-raced Flight Plan brings winning course form to the table for Karl Burke, while Edward Bethell’s Oviedo, Richard Fahey’s Rousing Encore and Kevin Ryan’s Chuzzlewit are others going into battle for the north in search of a share of the £100,000 prize-fund.

Richard Hannon won this in 2019 and this time relies on Dark Thirty, while a year later John and Thady Gosden landed the spoils with Megallan and look to have leading claims once again with Obelix.

A son of Sea The Stars, he makes his first appearance since bolting up by seven and a half lengths over the course and distance in September and is another in the line-up to hold an entry for the 2000 Guineas.

“Obelix won well over the course and distance at the back end of last year, although it was not the strongest novice,” said Thady Gosden.

“The Burradon is always a strong race but, in terms of ratings, he is right in there with the rest of them and this looks the right place to start him off.”

Charles Hills’ Galeron was last seen plundering the Goffs Million on a raiding mission to the Curragh, and connections are looking to this latest test to tee up a big year for the Teme Valley & Aura (Gas) Holdings Ltd-owned colt.

“We’ve got a number of plans and Friday will be the first step in guiding us which route to take,” explained Richard Ryan of Teme Valley.

“He was a clear work in progress last year it looked and has done very well physically over the winter. Charlie is mindful he is quite a tough horse and the race and overnight (trip) will benefit him for the rest of the season in terms of bringing him on and then we can make a firmer plan after Friday.

Galeron ridden by jockey Shane Foley (left) on their way to winning the Goffs Million at the Curragh
Galeron ridden by jockey Shane Foley (left) on their way to winning the Goffs Million at the Curragh (Brian Lawless/PA)

“He’s out of a Galileo mare and that would suggest if you can get seven on easy ground at the Curragh at two, you are more than likely going to get a mile at three.

“The draw has not been particularly kind – no one wants to be drawn stall one at Newcastle over a straight trip. Historically it is not the place to be but we’ll see where the pace is and take it from there.”

John Ryan’s consistent operator Tenjin is the mount of Darragh Keenan and completes the line-up.

Manaafith carrying high hopes of maintaining unbeaten all-weather record

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Manaafith will bid to enhance her stellar all-weather record in the talkSPORT All-Weather Fillies’ And Mares’ Championships Conditions Stakes at Newcastle.

Victory in the £150,000 All-Weather Championships Finals Day event has always been the plan for Roger Varian’s four-year-old, who is is unbeaten in six appearances on synthetic surfaces and earned her spot at Gosforth Park when scoring at Southwell in January.

Although she raced over a mile when claiming the scalp of Sir Busker in the Listed Tandridge Stakes at Lingfield most recently, the majority of her success has come over seven furlongs and the daughter of Exceed And Excel returns to her optimum trip looking to extend her winning sequence to four.

“I think with any luck she has a good chance,” said Angus Gold, racing manager for owners Shadwell.

“She’s very consistent on the all-weather and has improved as she has gone on with her racing. They seem very happy with her at home.

“It’s obviously a big pot, but hopefully she can keep heading in the right direction. This has been her big aim and it will be lovely if she can pull it off.”

Chief among the dangers appears William Haggas’ Queen Aminatu who finished off 2022 with a pair of Listed victories, firstly at Lingfield in the Fleur De Lys Fillies’ Stakes and then in Deauville when impressively taking the Prix Miss Satamixa.

William Haggas’ Queen Aminatu will bid for a hat-trick in the talkSPORT All-Weather Fillies' And Mares' Championships Conditions Stakes
William Haggas’ Queen Aminatu will bid for a hat-trick in the talkSPORT All-Weather Fillies’ And Mares’ Championships Conditions Stakes (Mike Egerton/PA)

The Anthony Oppenheimer-owned filly is officially the highest rated in the field, 4lb clear of Manaafith, with the only other runner in the field holding a rating above 100 being Adrian McGuinness’ Irish raider Hodd’s Girl.

The six-year-old has proven to be an ultra-consistent performer on home soil at Dundalk and having produced a career best in the Lady Wulfruna at Wolverhampton last month, could be set for another big performance when partnered by the in-form Oisin Murphy.

“This time last year Hodd’s Girl was heading for a claimer in Dundalk and now she is rated 101,” said McGuinness.

“She is improving with every run and it was a career-best from her the last day at Wolverhampton.

“If she can produce that run again, I think she will be in the money, especially as the stiffer finish at Newcastle will be to her advantage. I will be disappointed if she does not run a big race.”

Rae Guest’s Aramis Grey finished second to Manaafith at Southwell earlier this year before booking her ticket to the north east by downing recent Cammidge Trophy scorer Vadream at Lingield in a fast-track qualifier in February.

Wolverhampton winner River Pride will represent George Boughey and all-weather jockeys’ championship-chasing Kevin Stott, while Fiduciary (Jane Chapple-Hyam) and Smiling Sunflower (Mick Appleby) also head to post.

Shouldvebeenaring bidding to add further lustre to money-spinning CV

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Shouldvebeenaring goes in search of a fifth career success in the talkSPORT All-Weather 3 Year Old Championships Conditions Stakes, as enterprising owners Middleham Park Racing attempt to land a telling blow on All-Weather Championships Finals Day.

The Havana Grey colt found the scoresheet on three occasions as a juvenile and having picked up a £122,950 pay cheque when striking in a valuable sales race at York, soon scooped Listed honours at Ripon.

Respectable efforts in the Mill Reef and then back on the Knavesmire over seven furlongs followed before attentions turned to securing qualification for this £150,000 contest at Newcastle – something he achieved when winning at Southwell in January.

Shouldvebeenaring after winning at Ripon
Shouldvebeenaring after winning at Ripon (PA)

“Shouldvebeenaring looks like going off favourite and it looks like a race that is tailor-made for him on a track which suits being held up,” said Tom Palin of Middleham Park.

“I can see him running a similar race as to when he won the Goffs sales race, weaving through. I think he’s nearly top-rated and he looks to have a good chance, it’s been his target all winter.”

Julie Camacho’s Shaquille heads to Gosforth Park having won three of his four career starts and his only disappointment coming in the Acomb Stakes last summer.

Connections have kept the son of Charm Spirit fresh for a crack at this valuable six-furlong contest and are confident he can make his presence felt.

“We’ve been pleased with him,” said Steve Brown, assistant trainer and husband of Camacho.

“He quite purposely had a break after Wolverhampton which was always the intention. He’s trained well over the winter and has progressed again physically – he’s a nice, big, strong colt.

“He went to Newcastle last week to stretch his legs and have a lie of the land and have a breeze up the track.

“We’re looking forward to it, he’s a few pounds wrong with a few of the horses at the weights, but we still feel he is progressive and we’re interested to see if he can improve further.

“It will tell us which direction we should be going in and we still have an interest in going up in trip at some point – it’s on the agenda. But the stiff six is a good starting point, so we will see how it goes and go from there.

George Boughey is double-handed with recent Listed winner Perdika and Kempton scorer Danger Alert, while Kevin Ryan’s Hello Queen has won both starts so far this term, tasting success over course and distance last month.

Another recent winner in the line-up is Andrew Balding’s Desert Cop, who made huge strides when runner-up on his second start before thriving when dropped back to six furlongs, getting off the mark at the third attempt.

The speedily-bred son of Oasis Dream showed plenty of pace to put the race to bed on that occasion and David Bowe, racing manager for the Oasis Dream gelding’s owner Jeff Smith believes his blistering turn of foot could prove crucial once again.

He said: “He has progressed and I would say the six furlongs would suit him down to the ground, especially on his pedigree.

“His last run was impressive in the way he finished out his race and he looks to have plenty of speed. We’ve been really encouraged by him at home and his home work has been excellent.

“He’s a lovely horse with a very speedy pedigree and we’re hoping the six will be ideal for him.”

New Definition disappointed over a mile at Chelmsford last weekend, but trainer James Tate is prepared to put a line through that effort as he drops the otherwise consistent son of Invincible Spirit back down to six furlongs.

He said: “He seemed to improve for running a sharp seven at Lingfield twice, but the mile at Chelmsford was a disaster because he just got stuck wide all the way round.

“We’re backing him up quickly I know, but this is a stiff six at Newcastle and if Chelmsford hasn’t taken anything out of him hopefully he will be on the premises.

“He’s a very tough type and seems to take his racing well.”

Meanwhile Group One-winning jockey Robert Havlin is looking forward to partnering The X O for the first time.

Jockey Robert Havlin will partner John Ryan's The X O in the talkSPORT All-Weather 3 Year Old Championships Conditions Stakes
Jockey Robert Havlin will partner John Ryan’s The X O in the talkSPORT All-Weather 3 Year Old Championships Conditions Stakes (Mike Egerton/PA)

Although the outsider of the field, John Ryan’s colt has racked up plenty of experience in the early part of 2023, winning two of his five starts since the turn of the year.

“I rode work on The X O on Tuesday and he gave me a nice feel,” said Havlin.

“I watched some of his races back and, although last time was messy, his performances at Southwell were quite impressive.

“I think the straight track at Newcastle will play to his strengths and, even though he has a bit to find on ratings, connections are hoping for a big run.”

The field is complete by Mick Appleby’s Michaela’s Boy, who was disappointing in France last month but brings course form to the table, and Grant Tuer’s versatile Glorious Angel.