Tag Archive for: Newmarket

Slipofthepen still in Guineas frame following Newmarket workout

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Slipofthepen could yet give King Charles III a Classic runner on his Coronation Day after warming up for a possible Qipco 2000 Guineas bid with a racecourse gallop at Newmarket.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained colt is a son of Night Of Thunder, who won the 2000 Guineas in 2014 for Richard Hannon, and has been visually impressive in winning each of his two starts to date.

The three-year-old enjoyed a leg stretch on the Rowley Mile on Thursday and retains the option of returning to the track on Saturday week, where he would carry the royal colours of the King and the Queen Consort just hours after His Majesty is officially crowned at Westminster Abbey.

Speaking after Slipofthepen’s morning gallop, John Gosden said: “He worked well and we’ll obviously make our decision over the next few days.”

Slipofthepen and James Doyle at Newmarket
Slipofthepen and James Doyle at Newmarket (Jockey Club/John Hoy/Megan Ridgwell/PA)

Slipofthepen is a best priced 20-1 to strike gold in the 2000 Guineas, a race the late Queen Elizabeth II won in 1958 with Pall Mall.

James Doyle has partnered Slipofthepen to his two Kempton triumphs and was also on board for his Thursday morning spin – and with stable jockey Frankie Dettori seemingly set to partner Chaldean in the Guineas, Godolphin-retained rider Doyle could again come in for the mount, subject to his availability.

“It depends. Frankie at the moment obviously has Chaldean, the Dewhurst winner, so we’ll just have to see,” Gosden added.

“Depending on what else runs, James may well be available. There are decisions to be made.”

Mawj in good form ahead of 1000 Guineas challenge

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Mawj will take her chance in the Qipco 1000 Guineas on Sunday week after showing Saeed bin Suroor all the right signs since returning from Dubai.

The Exceed And Excel filly, who won the Group Two Duchess of Cambridge on Newmarket’s July course in mid-summer, was last seen in Britain finishing a close-up third to Lezoo in the Cheveley Park on the Rowley Mile course in September.

While she tackled six furlongs exclusively in her two-year-old career on these shores, she was upped in trip with success when shipped to Dubai over the winter.

Mawj duly won the seven-furlong Jumeirah Fillies Classic and then scooted to an eight-and-a-half-length success in the Jumeirah Fillies Guineas on her first try over a mile.

Though not the biggest, she has proven herself to be all heart in winning four of her seven career starts, and she is as short as 12-1 for the mile fillies’ Classic.

Bin Suroor said: “She is good, has been working well and in good form. She will run in the Guineas.

“She is a nice filly and a proven filly. She has shown plenty of speed, but she stayed a mile well in Dubai and now we will give her a chance in the Guineas.

“It is a very tough race, but we have to give her a chance and see how she goes, as she has earned that chance.

“She has grown a little, but not much. That is why we gave her a break between races. Two-year-olds, when you give them a break, they generally grow and strengthen.”

Younger racegoers targeted in Champions Series initiative

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A new initiative has been launched by Qipco British Champions Series aimed at attracting younger racegoers to top Flat meetings during the summer.

‘Club 26’ is a free-to-join club for people aged between 18-26, with initial ticket offers announced being £10 general admission for club members to the Qipco Guineas Festival at Newmarket on May 6-7 and British Champions Day at Ascot in October.

Further discounted offers will be announced, while club members can benefit from behind-the-scenes tours and raceday previews.

Rod Street, chief executive of Qipco British Champions Series, said: “Our objective is to get a younger audience closer to horse racing, by involving them in some of the best Flat racing occasions in the calendar. Horse racing takes a bit of understanding, but by involving people more closely in the racing experience, we know the magic can rub off and create lifetime aficionados.

“We believe the initial offer is fantastic value and there will be more to come as the British Flat racing season goes on.”

Sheikh Fahad, director of Qipco and whose colours were carried to 2000 Guineas glory by Kameko in 2020, said: “We are passionate about attracting young people to horse racing as future fans and participants and are very proud to launch Club 26 ahead of the Qipco Guineas Festival.

“We have lots of exciting plans for the Club and hope it educates and encourages more 18-26 year olds, who are key to the future of this sport, to come racing.”

Tahiyra ‘in great form’ – but no decision yet on Newmarket

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Dermot Weld will give Tahiyra a workout later this week before determining whether or not she will take her place in the Qipco 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on Sunday week.

The Aga Khan’s beautifully-bred daughter of Siyouni is vying for favouritism with Meditate for the fillies’ Classic at Newmarket, having beaten Aidan O’Brien’s multiple Group One winner in a strong renewal of the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh.

That two-and-a-quarter-length victory, her second in two starts, came on her last run in September, with Meditate subsequently franking the form when taking the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Keeneland in November.

Pat Downes, who manages the Aga Khan’s Irish studs, reported Tahiyra in fine fettle ahead of a possible run on the Rowley Mile.

He said: “She is in great form and had a great winter, and we are very happy with her.

“Dermot has been keeping all his options open until he couldn’t – until he has to make a final decision. And that’s pretty much where we’re at.

“She will be doing a bit of work this week and I would imagine after this week we will be making a decision as to where she is likely to go.

“Meditate more than franked the form of the Moyglare in the Breeders’ Cup and she is very exciting. We are really looking forward to seeing her run again and see what happens from two to three.”

A half-sister to Tarnawa, who won the Prix Vermeille, Prix de l’Opera and the Breeders’ Cup Turf for Weld in 2020, Tahiyra has abundant stamina in her pedigree.

However, she showed plenty of speed in taking the seven-furlong Moyglare and may not prove herself to be an Oaks filly.

Downes added: “We couldn’t be happier with her – she’s in a very good place and we’re really pleased with her.

“We will take it one step at a time. Her sister maybe stayed better than we would have expected her to do, and as Dermot correctly said, Tahiyra shows more speed than Tanarwa did, so what her optimum trip will be in due course I really wouldn’t be able to say at this stage.”

Murphy pencilled in for Polly Pott Guineas ride

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Oisin Murphy looks set to partner Polly Pott in his bid for a first Qipco 1000 Guineas victory after putting the filly through her paces in a racecourse gallop at Newbury on Sunday morning.

The three-year-old was trained by Harry Dunlop last year and saw her stock rise drastically from the beginning to the end of her juvenile season.

In July she began a steep upward climb that saw her land four successive races, culminating in a Group Two victory in the May Hill Stakes at Doncaster.

The daughter of Muhaarar was then fourth in the Group One Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket in October, finishing the campaign on a mark of 106 having been given an opening rating of 68.

Dunlop ceased training at the end of the season and Polly Pott’s owners, the Megsons, transferred her to the stable of Ben Pauling to continue her career.

Jockey Daniel Tudhope after winning the May Hill Stakes with Polly Pott
Jockey Daniel Tudhope after winning the May Hill Stakes with Polly Pott (Tim Goode/PA)

Pauling has been preparing her for a tilt at the 1000 Guineas and has three-times champion jockey Murphy pencilled in to take the ride in the first fillies’ Classic of the season.

“She had a racecourse gallop at Kempton a fortnight ago and that all went rather well,” the trainer said.

“Then she went to Newbury this morning and worked over seven (furlongs) with Oisin on, all went to plan and she seems on track and in good order for a fortnight away.

“She left Harry’s and then wintered with Georgie Nicholls, then she came to me at the beginning of January.

“She’s been very straightforward to train, she’s a lovely little filly who enjoys her job and seems to have strengthened up over the winter. She looks great and is in a good position to take her place in the Guineas.

Polly Pott at Doncaster
Polly Pott at Doncaster (Tim Goode/PA)

“Harry is very much still part of the team, he did a fabulous job with her last year and it’s important that he’s credited with the success that she’s had.”

Of riding plans, Pauling added: “At the moment he’s (Oisin) very much planning on riding, so it’s great to have him on board. He seems to really like her and was pleased with the work she’s done.”

The Guineas may be the initial target for the filly, but there is a long season beyond and hopefully plenty for connections to look forward to.

Pauling said: “We truly think she might possibly be more suited to the Oaks and there are various options. There’s no two ways about it, we’re well aware that we’re shooting for the stars but some of her form from last year was very good.

“There are plenty of others in behind her in the May Hill that are in the Guineas, we go there with our heads held high and look forward to seeing how she can perform.”

Matilda Picotte to take Classic chance at Newmarket

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Connections of Matilda Picotte are preparing to “roll the dice”, with Kieran Cotter’s filly set to take her chance in the Qipco 1000 Guineas.

The daughter of Sioux Nation was a consistent operator over six furlongs as a two-year-old, beaten less than two lengths behind Aidan O’Brien’s 1000 Guineas market leader Meditate and Ballydoyle stablemate Statuette in Group contests, placing in the Lowther Stakes at York and then finishing her campaign by winning the Bosra Sham at Newmarket.

She had a first try at seven furlongs on her return in the 1,000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown and her performance at the Dublin track when attempting to make most in heavy ground – only to be reeled in late by O’Brien’s Never Ending Story – was enough to convince both Cotter and owners the Matilda & Kilmichael Racing Partnership to return to Newmarket on May 7.

Matilda Picotte had to settle for second behind Aidan O'Brien's Never Ending Story in the Ballylinch Stud ‘Priory Belle’ 1000 Guineas Trial Stakes at Leopardstown
Matilda Picotte had to settle for second behind Aidan O’Brien’s Never Ending Story in the Ballylinch Stud ‘Priory Belle’ 1000 Guineas Trial Stakes at Leopardstown (Niall Carson/PA)

“We were delighted with her run at Leopardstown and we said we would let her take her chance in the 1000 Guineas,” said Cotter.

“She has proven form on the track and I would say better ground will help her get home, so we’re going to roll the dice.

“She ran with the choke out a bit and she was taken on early at Leopardstown. But she didn’t fold up and she stuck to her guns and would have been a clear winner without Aidan’s filly in there.

“Obviously Aidan’s is a very good filly who will stay further than a mile, but we thought it was a really solid effort from Matilda Picotte and she earned the right to have a go at the Guineas.”

Although a general 40-1 shot for the opening fillies’ Classic of the season, Cotter believes the Rowley Mile suits his charge, with her vast number of travelling fans already booked in for what could be an exciting Bank Holiday weekend in Cambridgeshire.

“When Declan (McDonogh, jockey) won on her in the Bosra Sham, he said the track was tailor-made designed for her. She handles it well and that is a huge plus in her favour,” continued Cotter.

“We are all booked up and there will be a big contingent of owners and supporters coming over. Realistically to even have a runner in the Guineas and take on the superpowers is fantastic and we are really looking forward to it.”

Lezoo and Juliet Sierra set to enhance Beckett’s Guineas bid

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Saturday’s Newbury heroine Remarquee is set to be joined by stablemates Lezoo and Juliet Sierra in the Qipco 1000 Guineas at Newmarket next month.

Successful in a Salisbury novice event on her sole start at two, Remarquee confirmed herself a major contender for the first fillies’ Classic of the season with an impressive comeback victory in the Group Three Dubai Duty Free Stakes – better known as the Fred Darling.

And while trainer Ralph Beckett is looking forward to seeing the daughter of Kingman line up on the Rowley Mile, he also feels it would be dangerous to overlook two other fillies trained at Kimpton Down Stables who will also line up at Newmarket in a fortnight’s time.

Winning connections with Remarquee
Winning connections with Remarquee (PA)

“We’ve still got five in it (1000 Guineas). Bluestocking won’t run, she’ll go for an Oaks trial, but Juliet Sierra will go straight for the Guineas and Lezoo will go straight there as well. Lose Yourself won’t as she’s not quite ready,” Beckett told Racing TV’s Luck On Sunday programme.

Lezoo is set for a step up in trip after striking Group One gold over six furlongs in last season’s Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket.

Her stablemate Juliet Sierra, previously successful in the Dick Poole at Salisbury, could finish only fifth in the Cheveley Park, but Beckett feels she is overpriced for the Guineas.

He added: “It’s a leap of faith on pedigree whether Lezoo will get a mile, but she’s a very relaxed filly, does nothing at home and she loves the Rowley Mile. It’s a shot to nothing. If she doesn’t stay, we’ll just go back sprinting.

“I never felt Juliet Sierra was a six-furlong filly – I always felt she won the Dick Poole against the curve in that sense.

“She was quite a free-running filly and we were always trying to get her to settle, which is why I didn’t step her up in trip, and I felt she got a bit lost two down in the Cheveley Park and then galloped out really well.

“I think she’s a big price for the Guineas at 50-1.”

While hopeful for his two bigger-priced runners, Remarquee has undoubtedly established herself as the trainer’s chief contender for Guineas glory, with Beckett anticipating further improvement.

He said: “I think she’ll have learnt a lot yesterday and I’ll probably put a sheepskin noseband on her next time, just to help her rider out.”

Waipiro makes waves in Derby market

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Derby entrant Waipiro turned what looked a hot bet365 British EBF “Confined” Novice Stakes at Newmarket into a procession.

Trained by Ed Walker, the half-brother to Hong Kong Group One winner Waikuku had finished sixth of 13 on his only start last year at Kempton behind Simon and Ed Crisford’s Wigmore Street.

As a result he was sent off the outsider of the whole field against three previous winners and several other bluebloods.

Running into the dip it appeared as if Karl Burke’s promising Liberty Lane was going to make all the running under Clifford Lee – but Tom Marquand was still sitting pretty on Waipiro.

When Marquand asked his mount to stretch, the Australia colt did just that and powered away from the field to win by three and a half lengths at 25-1.

He now looks bound for a Derby trial, with Paddy Power cutting him to 33-1 from 200-1 for the Classic itself.

“We left him in the Derby because we think he’s a nice horse,” said Walker.

“He had a float around Kempton last year but he was very weak. He ran fine from a bad draw, doing all his best work at the end.

“He’s been working well in the spring, but the horses hadn’t been running as well as I’d like so it was a well-needed boost for the yard.

“He is a raw horse, he behaved very badly, he was very green and physically he’s still very raw, he’s only going to get better and better so it’s exciting.

“I think we’ll run in a trial, I don’t know which one yet, I’ll see what Tom says.”

Indestructible earns Guineas ticket with Craven success

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Indestructible made the best possible start to life with Karl Burke when winning the bet365 Craven Stakes at Newmarket – and paid a handsome compliment to Chaldean in the process.

Formerly with Michael O’Callaghan in Ireland, Indestructible was moved to Burke’s stables in Leyburn by owners Amo Racing and the transfer paid an immediate dividend.

The increasingly familiar purple and white Amo silks have enjoyed a stellar week at HQ, with Richard Hannon’s Mammas Girl winning the Nell Gwyn and propelling herself into the 1000 Guineas picture in the process being supplemented by the impressive victory of Persian Dreamer.

Andrew Balding’s Chaldean, due to run in Saturday’s Greenham Stakes at Newbury, beat Indestructible twice last season in the Acomb Stakes at York and the Champagne at Doncaster.

Joined at the head of affairs going into the dip by The Foxes, Indestructible stuck his head down for Kevin Stott and found plenty for pressure while The Foxes – who looked to go a length up a one stage – drifted over to the far rail.

In the end Indestructible ran out a length and a quarter winner, with Dancing Magic staying on for third. Charlie Appleby’s Mysterious Night, sent off the 15-8 favourite, was niggled from some way out and failed to get competitive.

“Thankfully the horses have started to hit form. If you’d been talking to me two weeks ago I was pulling what is left of my hair out, but things have clicked into gear,” said Burke.

“This is a lovely, scopey horse. I got a phone call just before Christmas asking if we’d take him and I’m not going to turn down horses like him.

“We had a couple of niggles with him physically after he arrived, nothing major, but because of those niggles I’m sure he’s having a good blow today and he’ll improve.

“He has worked well, especially in the last two weeks as with each piece of work he did leading into this he worked better each time, so I’m delighted.

“I’d say I’d have to fight Kia (Joorabchian, owner) now not to come back here in two weeks’ time (2000 Guineas). He deserves his chance, I’m sure.”

Balding’s wife, Anna-Lisa, said: “These trials are always a fact-finding mission and for him (The Foxes) he’s run really good and his best days are hopefully ahead of him still over a little bit further.

The Foxes is heading to York
The Foxes is heading to York (Steven Paston/PA)

“For Chaldean, he’s wintered well and Saturday will answer more questions.”

King Power racing manager Alistair Donald said of The Foxes: “We’re delighted. This was always going to be a prep for the Dante and the Derby is the main focus.

“We didn’t want to go to the Dante first time out. Today he’s travelled great, looked like he was going to win the race and just got tired. I think he was a bit lonely out in front there as well.

“It’s quite exciting and we’re perfectly on track for the plan.”

Garrus picks up deserved victory in Abernant Stakes

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Garrus went one better than last year when holding off dual Stewards’ Cup winner Commanche Falls in the Connaught Access Flooring Abernant Stakes at Newmarket, in which odds-on favourite Creative Force was only third.

The Charlie Hills-trained grey may be a seven-year-old but once more proved that some sprinters improve with age and he was winning the third Group Three of his career.

Last seen competing in Saudi Arabia, he made his challenge on the far side of the track under Ryan Moore.

Only beaten a length by Highfield Princess in the Prix Maurice de Gheest last season, the winner has some good form to his name but was expected to have plenty on his plate against Charlie Appleby’s Creative Force, who was down in grade.

However, William Buick was hard at work from some way out and it was Michael Dods’ Commanche Falls who made Garrus pull out all the stops.

Garrus, a 9-1 chance, had a head to spare at the line, while Creative Force stayed on only steadily into third, three-quarters of a length away.

The winner was given a 20-1 quote by Betfair for the Platinum Jubilee at Royal Ascot.

Hills said: “He’s a wonderful horse and a pleasure to train really.

“He’s run some good races in some big races and he’s a good Group Three/Group Two horse. I don’t know if we’ll get sucked into making entries in those Group Ones as we’ve tried that, but we’ll see.

“It’s great to win a race like this. He was beaten a short head in it last year so it’s good for him to go one better.

“He’s in the Duke of York and he loves going to France so we’ll look at that as well. There are some nice races for him and he’s a horse any owner and trainer would love to have.”

Creative Force was only third
Creative Force was only third (Steven Paston/PA)

Appleby said of the beaten favourite: “They went steady early, it turned into a bit of a burn-up and unfortunately they got racing on the far side of him so he had nothing to race with.

“Take nothing away from the winner, who has been knocking on the door for something like this as well, but from our point of view William said they got racing away from him on the far side and he was left picking up on his own really.

“We’ll probably look towards the Duke of York. You know what it’s like with these sprinters, they run week in week out and results change, so if they’re fit and well, run them.”

Hills doubled up in the finale when Harry Magnus came from an uncompromising position to win the Best Odds Guaranteed At bet365 Handicap.

Hills was full of praise for his jockey, William Buick, who brought the 5-1 shot through beautifully.

“That was a great ride. It was his first run so I thought he was just going to run a nice race but that was the most amazing ride I’ve seen for a while,” said Hills.

“He’s a nice horse. He’d only run once on turf before but was drawn one at Goodwood and jumped away from the others and was then in no man’s land.

“He’s been a bit green but he might get quicker, he’s not fully there yet.”