Tag Archive for: Lingfield

Military Order marches to Epsom with stylish Lingfield win

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Military Order shot to the top of the Betfred Derby market as he went one better than his brother Adayar to claim the Fitzdares Lingfield Derby Trial Stakes.

Adayar finished second in this in 2021 before going on to triumph at Epsom and his high-class sibling took his record to three wins from four starts in the manner of a high-class operator himself.

With waterlogging to Lingfield’s turf track meaning this was run on the all-weather for the first time since Main Sequence’s victory in 2012, William Buick had Military Order travelling nicely behind the pace set by James Tate’s Regal Empire

The pack began to bunch as the eight-strong field approached the home bend and when Regal Empire angled out spinning the turn, Buick seized the opportunity to nimbly slip up the inner and set sail for home with Ed Walker’s Waipiro the only one to match strides with the athletic son of Frankel.

The duo went toe-to-toe up the home straight, but it was the even-money favourite who came out on top by a length and a quarter at the winning post, with a further four and a quarter lengths back to the King’s Circle Of Fire in third.

Although the race has provided Charlie Appleby with a Derby winner in the past, it is the first time he has won the Listed event and Military Order now heads to Epsom as Betfair’s 4-1 joint-favourite alongside Auguste Rodin, while Coral make the colt their outright 7-2 market leader.

“He did everything I asked him. He’s come through that really well and will have learned plenty, not that he needed to be shown,” said Buick.

“Today was a different test to Newbury, but when I asked him to quicken into a gap running downhill he didn’t hesitate. He was totally relaxed and beautifully balanced.”

Military Order looks smart
Military Order looks smart (PA)

Alex Merriam, Appleby’s assistant, said: “It was pretty straightforward. It took him a while to get rolling, but he saw it out strongly.

“All systems are go for Epsom, he’s had a run on grass and now a run down a bit of a hill.

“Last year we were blessed with some good milers but this year we have some nice mile-and-a-quarter and mile-and-a-half types.

“Military Order is a similar size to Adayar, but a sharper model.”

He added: “Castle Way is a good prospect, but I think he will go to Ascot (King Edward VII Stakes).

“Flying Honours is going to York and it will be interesting to see how he gets on in the Dante if we get some decent ground there.”

Walker, meanwhile, will press on with his Derby plan for Waipiro after his gallant effort.

“The winner got a run up the inside and the horse that made the gap pushed us out and onto the wrong lead, making us disorganised, but we still gave him a run for his money,” he said.

“Rob (Hornby) couldn’t pull him up and I think we have to go to Epsom.”

Eternal Hope burns brightly for Appleby and Buick at Lingfield

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Charlie Appleby won the Fitzdares Oaks Trial Fillies’ Stakes for the first time as Eternal Hope put her name into the Betfred Oaks picture at Lingfield.

Always well placed by William Buick tracking the pace set by stablemate Sunset Point and the 6-5 favourite Be Happy, she was in the perfect spot to strike rounding the turn for home and showed a likeable turn of foot to outgun the Aidan O’Brien-trained market leader in the straight.

Although Coral introduced the filly into the Oaks market at 16-1, the daughter of Teofilo would need supplementing into the line-up for Epsom’s June 2 showpiece.

But although her next move will become clearer in time, what is not in doubt is her class and she impressed her rider.

“She’s a lovely filly who started her career late and can only improve as that was just her third run,” said Buick of the 9-4 scorer.

“She’s not in at Epsom, but I’m sure they’ll have a good think about supplementing her.”

Alex Merriam, Appleby’s assistant, added: “She picked up well and did it nicely. It would have been lovely to put her on turf, but she’s suited by a sound surface.

“This race looked competitive without being red hot, so let’s see if it stops raining. 

“We will take a look at what the ground is like closer to the time (of the Oaks).”

Sacred sails to silky smooth Chartwell Stakes victory

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Sacred upheld her fine record fresh to oblige favourite-backers in style and lead home a William Haggas one-three in Lingfield’s Fitzdares Chartwell Fillies’ Stakes.

The five-year-old was the undoubted class act of the line-up and was anchored in rear alongside Haggas-trained stablemate Queen Aminatu in the early stages, as Richard Hughes’ Candle Of Hope was away well from a wide draw and led from Nell Gwyn third Secret Angel.

Rounding the final bend Ryan Moore and the 13-8 market leader still had plenty of traffic ahead of them, but soon began to chart their path to the winning line.

It did not take long for the duo to have old rival Sandrine covered as Sacred proved she still possessed plenty of zip to record a clear-cut two-and-a-quarter length victory.

Queen Aminatu plugged on for the bronze medal and in the aftermath of the Group Three contest, the Cheveley Park-owned winner was handed quotes of 10-1 from 14s by both Paddy Power and Betfair for the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.

“We’ve kept her in training to try to win a Group One remembering she was only beaten a length in the Jubilee last year,” said Max McLoughlin management assistant to the owners.

“She’s a high-class filly and a Group Two winner, and it was great to see her do it so impressively.

Sacred and Ryan Moore winning the Fitzdares Chartwell Fillies’ Stakes at Lingfield
Sacred and Ryan Moore winning the Fitzdares Chartwell Fillies’ Stakes at Lingfield (PA)

“She will go to Ascot and could have another crack at the Jubilee, although she’s also in the Duke of Edinburgh.”

Moore added: “She’s a lovely filly who has won multiple Group races, and the all-weather round here suited her.

“She quickened up very well and I was impressed with her. She’s a seven-furlong filly.”

Haggas duo hunting Chartwell prize

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Queen Aminatu and Sacred give trainer William Haggas a strong hand in the Fitzdares Chartwell Fillies’ Stakes at Lingfield on Saturday.

Sacred emerged as a Classic contender when winning the Group Three Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket two years ago – and while she came up short in the 1000 Guineas the following month, she has since won the Group Two Hungerford Stakes and a Listed prize at Newbury, both over Saturday’s trip of seven furlongs.

The Cheveley Park Stud-owned mare will be tackling an artificial surface for the first time in public this weekend, though, whereas her stablemate Queen Aminatu is an all-weather regular.

The daughter of Muhaarar has won twice at Lingfield already and also struck gold on All-Weather Championships Finals Day at Newcastle. Her owner-breeder Anthony Oppenheimer is keeping his fingers crossed she can bounce back from a disappointing recent run in a Group Three on turf in Ireland.

“Queen Aminatu got bogged down in Ireland, she couldn’t get her feet out of the ground, it was too deep,” said Oppenheimer.

“I think other horses felt the same, it poured with rain the day before and I think it was rather a non-event.

“The question is, it has only been 12 days since she ran at the Curragh and she’s not a big filly, so maybe that will be a bit much for her.

“It seems worth taking the risk because it is a Group Three and she enjoys the all-weather.

“We will see how she goes, we don’t want her to have a hard race obviously, but I think she will enjoy the surface. I just hope she isn’t too tired from her trip to Ireland.”

White Moonlight winning at Newmarket
White Moonlight winning at Newmarket (Tim Goode/PA)

Andrew Balding saddles dual Group Two winner Sandrine, while Saeed bin Suroor is looking forward to running White Moonlight.

The latter finished second twice in Dubai earlier in the year before failing to land a blow in the Neom Turf Cup in Saudi Arabia

“White Moonlight is an improving filly this year and has been working nicely at home,” the trainer told www.godolphin.com.

“She has won on the all-weather before and dropping back to seven furlongs will suit. She is fresh and ready for this, and I’m looking for a good run.”

Candle Of Hope, who carries the colours of the King and Queen, will be an outsider, but trainer Richard Hughes believes she could outrun her odds.

He said: “I needed to get a run into her and we went to Goodwood last week knowing the ground was against her but she needed to have a race.

“I though that was a hell of a run considering I just needed to get a run into her. She had been on the boil for too long waiting for her ground. But she ran above herself, I thought, on ground that would be totally against her.

“Now this has switched to the all-weather, we thought we would give it a go. She probably should have won there first time out this year, she was very unlucky. Going back there I know we’re taking on horses rated higher, but she’s getting plenty of weight and is tough as boots.”

Secret Angel (Karl Burke), Nizaaka (Jane Chapple-Hyam) and Love Interest (David O’Meara) complete the line-up.

Circle Of Fire tests Derby credentials at Lingfield

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The King could yet have a Betfred Derby runner during his coronation year as Circle Of Fire attempts to book his ticket to Epsom in the Fitzdares Lingfield Derby Trial Stakes.

The late Queen famously had a Derby runner just days after her own coronation in 1953 when Aureole went down narrowly to Pinza in the Epsom showpiece and 70 years on, the quest to see the famous purple and red silks in the winner’s enclosure after the premier Classic continues.

Trained by Sir Michael Stoute, Circle Of Fire impressed when breaking his maiden at Salisbury on his second start and again caught the eye on reappearance, finishing second in the Newmarket Stakes over 10 furlongs.

He is now stepped up to the Derby distance and is reported to have sharpened up from his Rowley Mile return ahead of this Listed event, which will be run on the all-weather for the first time since 2012 due to waterlogging on Lingfield’s turf course.

Ryan Moore will once again wear the King’s colours aboard Circle Of Fire
Ryan Moore will once again wear the King’s colours aboard Circle Of Fire (David Davies/PA)

“Sir Michael is very pleased with his progress from Newmarket and the extra two furlongs will certainly be to his benefit,” said John Warren, racing manager to the King and Queen.

“This race will give us a good steer as to where to go next.”

One horse that was due to appear in the same Newmarket contest as Circle Of Fire was Ed Walker’s Waipiro – who had won in commanding fashion at the track in his previous start.

However, he was withdrawn after rival Forca Timao kicked out on the way to the start leaving jockey Tom Marquand requiring stitches.

The son of Australia was none the worse for the incident, with the jockey bearing the brunt, and Walker has been quick to reroute his charge to a race in which he tasted success with English King in 2020.

“The plan was obviously to run at Newmarket, which I would have preferred to have done for obvious reasons – it probably wasn’t as strong a race and he was proven over the track and trip,” said Walker.

“The tight nature of this track I don’t think will suit many Derby type horses, but he’s a well-balanced horse and I would rather run on the all-weather than heavy ground.”

He went on: “You don’t tend to get too excited about the trials, because the nature of trials is you walk away most of the time with bubbles burst and going back to the drawing board. We don’t have a heap of mile-and-a-half horses to compare him to, so we need to compare them to other peoples. So we go there knowing as much as you do really.

“The horse is fine, the poor old jockey took the brunt of things last week. He seems really well and I think there is more to come from this horse and he will get better as the season goes on.

“After Saturday we will know which route we are going – hopefully we are going to Epsom, but if not then hopefully it is Royal Ascot. It’s a strong race but he has a good draw and fingers crossed for a big run.”

Charlie Appleby’s Adayar was second in this in 2021 before going on to triumph at Epsom and it is somewhat fitting his brother Military Order will continue his own charge towards the Derby here.

“Military Order goes into this on the back of a good win at Newbury,” the Moulton Paddocks handler told www.godolphin.com.

Military Order after shedding his maiden in style at Newmarket
Military Order after shedding his maiden in style at Newmarket (Adam Morgan/PA)

“We have no real concerns with the switch to the all-weather, while we feel stepping up to this trip will see further improvement. This is his next test that will hopefully propel him on to being a Derby candidate.”

William Haggas’ Laafi was a place behind Military Order when the pair met in a hot Newmarket maiden on debut before winning a Nottingham maiden named after Derby hero Golden Horn on his second start.

The Cloth Of Stars colt could possess plenty of untapped potential moving up in trip, while similar comment applies to the John and Thady Gosden-trained Inquiring Minds who bolted up at Newcastle on his racecourse bow earlier this month for owner-breeder Anthony Oppenheimer.

“I don’t see why he won’t run a nice race, but the opposition looks really strong. This will tell us what kind of standard he is,” said Oppenheimer.

The Kingman colt would have to be supplemented for the Derby if successfully navigating this trial, but does hold an entry for the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot, a race Oppenheimer thinks could suit well.

He continued: “The King Edward is the sort of race one thinks he might enjoy. I would think he will be more suited to Ascot (than Epsom).

“I think he is quite useful, but I don’t think he’s number one in the stable, so I don’t think we can expect too much.”

Andrew Balding’s Ndaawi had his momentum checked in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud last October but had previously won at both Epsom and Goodwood and now makes his reappearance, while the eight-strong line-up is completed by the James Tate-trained pair of Regal Empire and Think First.

Bright Diamond aiming to sparkle in Oaks Trial test

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Connections of Bright Diamond have no qualms about switching the Fitzdares Oaks Trial Fillies’ Stakes from Lingfield’s turf track to the all-weather surface, following a midweek deluge.

The daughter of US sire El Kabeir takes on eight rivals in the mile-and-a-half Listed contest on her seasonal debut, with plenty of camp confidence following her placed effort in the Group One Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket when last seen in October.

Trained by Karl Burke, Bright Diamond ran three times last summer, scorching to a nine-length victory on her seven-furlong Newmarket debut in August before being placed in Group Three company at Goodwood.

Thoughts of running in the Musidora at York next week were shelved primarily because of the prospect of easy ground.

Bruce Raymond, racing manager to owner Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum, said: “The Musidora looked a bit tougher. We thought about it, but who’s to say what the ground is going to be like up at York?

“She doesn’t want it heavy and Karl wants to get her on the track. He said she is working well, but he needed to get a race into her.

“She ran well when third in the Fillies’ Mile and she’s a good-moving filly, who has improved physically over the winter and she is better on better ground.

“She stays well and she has wintered very well. Karl is very happy with her.

“When she won first time, she caught us all a bit by surprise as she streaked clear. She doesn’t always show at home what she does on the track, which is a good thing.”

Perfect Prophet also had three runs last season, winning a mile all-weather novice at Kempton before finishing third in the May Hill at Doncaster on good to soft ground.

“She was doing all her best work at the end in the May Hill,” said her trainer, Ed Walker.

“We toyed with the idea of running her over 10 furlongs in April in France, but I just felt she needed the extra distance, hence we opted for this over the Musidora, even though I don’t think the sharp nature of the track will play to her strengths at all.

“It’s a weaker race than the Musidora and a better trip for her and if she can run well in a race like this, on a track that doesn’t suit, we will know she will be even better when she gets on a galloping, turf track.

“We’re looking forward to seeing her, she’s a lovely filly who is bred to stay well and we hope she runs well.”

Aidan O’Brien, who has won this race twice before with Baraka (2004) and Seventh Heaven (2016), relies upon Be Happy, who has the benefit of a run under her belt, having finished third in the Group Three Prix Penelope at Saint-Cloud last month.

Charlie Appleby is seeking a first success in the race and saddles both Eternal Hope and Sunset Point.

The former, a daughter of Teofilo, has had two starts so far this year, scoring over 10 furlongs at Chelmsford in February.

Sunset Point, by Dubawi, has more experience with four previous outings, winning the last two, a novice over a mile on the all-weather at Lingfield and when running away with a 10-furlong fillies’ handicap at Windsor on her seasonal bow last month.

Charlie Appleby said: “Eternal Hope is slightly less experienced than Sunset Point, but both have won on the all-weather.

“Both don’t look out of place in the field and this should give us a gauge for their future.”

Waterlogging forces all-weather switch for Lingfield’s Classic trials

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Lingfield has been forced to transfer Saturday’s Derby Trial card to the all-weather after waterlogging left the turf track unraceable.

The card also includes the Chartwell Fillies’ Stakes and the Oaks Trial Fillies’ Stakes, with the latter race and the Derby Trial now set to be run over a mile and four furlongs due to the switch, rather than half a furlong short of the Classic distance.

Heavy rainfall in the area has taken its toll on the ground and more wet weather is forecast, causing track officials and the British Horseracing Authority to move the card on to the all-weather as any improvement in conditions is now improbable.

A statement from the BHA read: “The British Horseracing Authority has confirmed that Saturday’s card at Lingfield Park will be staged on the all-weather.

English King winning the Lingfield Derby Trial in markedly different conditions in 2020
English King winning the Lingfield Derby Trial in markedly different conditions in 2020 (Megan Ridgwell/PA)

“A BHA inspection of the course on Wednesday morning found the turf track to be unraceable due to waterlogging.

“It is considered unlikely that conditions will have improved sufficiently by Saturday to allow any races to take place on the turf safely.

“Therefore, also taking into account the weather forecast suggesting further rain, the BHA has made the decision to switch the surface at this time to offer certainty for connections to confirm their running plans.”

All existing entries at the meeting will be cancelled with the races re-opened until noon on Thursday for new entries, prior to 24-hour declarations at 10am on Friday.

Lingfield hold inspection ahead of Derby Trial

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Lingfield will hold a 10am inspection on Wednesday to determine if Saturday’s Derby Trial card will be given the go-ahead.

The going was changed to soft, heavy in places on the straight course and soft, good to soft in places on Tuesday morning following over 7mm of rain.

A further 18mm fell in a thunderstorm which saw racing briefly halted on Tuesday afternoon.

Lingfield’s clerk of the course George Hill said: “We were forecast between 5mm and 30mm today, but we had 18mm in 30-40 minutes during racing.

“We have an inspection planned for 10am which will involve the BHA course inspector in attendance.”

Waipiro could try again to book Derby ticket at Lingfield

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Waipiro is a possible for the Lingfield Derby Trial after his Newmarket bid was scuppered on the way to the start.

The Ed Walker-trained Australia colt, who is a half-brother to Hong Kong hero Waikuku, was set to be an intriguing runner at Headquarters after a taking seasonal debut over course and distance late last month.

The Listed Newmarket Stakes was an intended stepping stone to the Betfred Derby – but Waipiro was unable to compete as rival runner Forca Timao kicked out on the way to the start and struck the arm of jockey Tom Marquand.

Marquand sustained a wound that required stitches and he was forced to step down, causing the withdrawal of Waipiro.

Marquand is healing having escaped any broken bones and Walker reports the horse to be none the worse as the blow did not reach him.

Lingfield will now be an alterative outing, though his trainer is conscious of ground conditions and will monitor the going throughout the week.

“He’s absolutely fine, unfortunately for Tom he took the blow,” he said.

“It’s obviously a real pain for us because Lingfield looks like it’s going to be on soft ground now and that (Newmarket) was the right spot for him.

“It’s frustrating, but he’s well and he’s being trained for Lingfield at the moment.

“I’d run him on good to soft but I wouldn’t run him on soft, so it’ll be dependent on which way things go this week.”

William Buick with Military Order at Newbury
William Buick with Military Order at Newbury (PA)

Waipiro is one of 14 contenders for the near 12-furlong contest, with Charlie Appleby’s Military Order the headline act following his effortless return in a Newbury novice event last month.

He is a general 6-1 shot for Epsom and could be joined by Listed-winning stablemate Noble Dynasty, although he holds an alternative entry in Thursday’s Dee Stakes at Chester.

Gooloogong, a 33-1 chance for the premier Classic, and Bertinelli could represent Aidan O’Brien.

Newmarket Stakes second Circle Of Fire could make a swift return, while Laafi, Artistic Star and Ndaawi also feature.

Ralph Beckett’s Bluestocking made a splash on her only juvenile start and is generally available at 14-1 for Epsom ahead of her possible return in the Oaks Trial Fillies’ Stakes.

A Juddmonte-owned daughter of Camelot out of Group One winner Emulous, Bluestocking beat the colts in style on her debut in a Salisbury novice heat in September.

Karl Burke’s Fillies’ Mile third Bright Diamond is among the 14 entries along with Sunset Point and Eternal Hope for the Appleby team and O’Brien’s pair of Be Happy and Lambada.

Agartha leads the way in the Chartwell Fillies' Stakes
Agartha leads the way in the Chartwell Fillies’ Stakes (Niall Carson/PA)

Joseph O’Brien has a strong potential team for the Group Three Chartwell Fillies’ Stakes with Agartha, American Kestrel and Honey Girl mounting a three-strong challenge.

Previous Group-race winners Sacred and Sandrine also feature, for William Haggas and Andrew Balding respectively.

White Moonlight, Just Beautiful, Secret Angel and Juliet Sierra are other names to note.

Emperor shows winning Spirit for Cowell team

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Robert Cowell’s Emperor Spirit dominated affairs to land the BetUK All-Weather Vase Sprint Handicap at Lingfield.

A relatively new part of the Cowell stable, the five-year-old had run just once prior to the event when finishing seventh over five furlongs at Newcastle in February.

Ridden by Jamie Spencer, the 10-1 shot was equipped with cheekpieces and made all of the running to cross the line a neck ahead of his nearest pursuer.

“We ran him over five furlongs in his first start for us because we just wanted to find out how much speed he really had, but it was a bit too quick for him,” Cowell said.

“Six furlongs at Lingfield was an ideal trip, especially on that sort of track, and our game plan worked perfectly.

“Jamie gave him a peach of a ride, exactly what we wanted, and it was a nice pot to win.”

Cowell felt the reapplication of cheekpieces combined with a tongue tie had aided the horse in claiming victory.

He said: “I think the cheekpieces played a part. Quite often when we take other horses on, we take everything off and gradually apply what we need to apply, but I think the combination of the cheekpieces and the tongue strap probably helped.

“It helped stop him getting his tongue over the bit and getting a bit loose, he was really good today.”

Elsewhere on the card, the BetUK All-Weather Vase Marathon Handicap was claimed by Rossa Ryan aboard Ralph Beckett’s Carzola at 9-1.

The Spreadex Sports All Weather Vase Mile Handicap went the way of Irish raider Final Voyage (11-2), trained by Johnny Murtagh and ridden by the newly-crowned all-weather champion apprentice Billy Loughnane.

James Ferguson also enjoyed a winner at the meeting when Diderot, a 8-1 shot, took the BetUK All-Weather Vase Middle Distance Handicap under Daniel Muscutt for Owners Group.