Tag Archive for: York

Kingscote eager to get acquainted with Infinite Cosmos

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Richard Kingscote will partner leading Oaks contender Infinite Cosmos for the first time in the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes at York.

Narrowly beaten by the reopposing Sea Of Roses on her Doncaster debut last season, the Sir Michael Stoute-trained filly rocketed to the head of ante-post lists for next month’s Epsom Classic following a runaway success on her reappearance at Newmarket earlier this month.

Ryan Moore was on board Infinite Cosmos on Town Moor and on her Rowley Mile return, but as he is required to ride Lambada for Aidan O’Brien in Wednesday’s Group Three contest, last season’s Derby-winning jockey Kingscote can look forward to being in the saddle on the Stoute runner.

He said: “She’s a nice filly who was impressive at Newmarket. Hopefully we will learn more this week.”

Infinite Cosmos is a hot favourite to enhance her Classic claims faced with seven rivals on the opening afternoon of York’s Dante Festival.

The Andrew Balding-trained Sea Of Roses beat her by a short head at Doncaster seven months ago and must be respected for the rematch after chasing home Andre Fabre’s Pensee Du Jour in a French Group Three on her comeback.

Gather Ye Rosebuds won by nine and a half lengths on her introduction at Newbury last month and is stepped up in class by fledgling trainer Jack Channon.

Novakai and Midnight Mile both bring quality juvenile form to the table for Yorkshire-based trainers Karl Burke and Richard Fahey having finished second in the Fillies’ Mile and fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf respectively.

David Simcock’s once-raced Lingfield winner Empress Wu and John and Thady Gosden’s Soul Sister, who finished last of 12 in the Fred Darling at Newbury a few weeks ago, complete the field.

Ferguson eager to assess Canberra’s Classic claims

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James Ferguson is excited to see whether Canberra Legend can book his Derby ticket in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes at York.

After justifying odds-on favouritism on his racecourse debut at Newcastle in February, the Australia colt successfully stepped up to Listed class in last month’s Feilden Stakes at Newmarket.

The three-year-old is a 14-1 shot for the Betfred Derby at Epsom on June 3 with the sponsors and Ferguson is hopeful he can enhance his claims on the Knavesmire on Thursday.

“He’s a joy to train and like a lot of Australia’s (progeny) he has a very good mind,” the Newmarket handler said on Racing TV’s Luck On Sunday programme.

“For us he’s very exciting. He’s done his final piece of work and hopefully we can get there (York) in one piece and enjoy the day.”

Connections went to 350,000 guineas to purchase Canberra Legend as a yearling and Ferguson revealed it did not take him long to realise he could be a bit special.

He added: “It’s no secret that Mr Ho (owner) spent a lot of money to buy this horse and I was very grateful he decided to send the horse to me.

Trainer James Ferguson at York
Trainer James Ferguson at York (Mike Egerton/PA)

“We realised pretty soon when he came to the yard that he had a bit of presence about him. He was a big two-year-old and was never going to be a sharp, early type.

“You have this horse in your yard and you hope to God that he’s as good as you think he is. More often than not it doesn’t go so well, but when he won at Newcastle it was a relief.

“Stepping up from a novice to a Listed race is quite a big step, but I didn’t want to fit in another novice with a penalty on the all-weather and we had confidence in the horse.

“The Feilden Stakes is a proven race for good horses, it seemed a good option, we took our chance and thank God it went right.”

Having been pleased with his colt since his Newmarket triumph, Ferguson admits he will need to put up a big show at York if he is to head to Epsom.

He said: “I’ve given him two pieces of work since, he’s worked on the Limekilns and he’s worked on the Al Bahathri (gallops). Michael Hills sat on him both times and having ridden well over a thousand winners, he knows what he’s doing.

“Being realistic, I think to go to Epsom, with the trials that we’ve seen so far, I’d like to see him run well (at York).

“The most important thing is that he comes back safe and sound, we know we’ve got a good horse and whatever happens in the Dante he’s won a very good trial in the Feilden.

“I would like to see him win or place well to enable us to go to Epsom, if not we’ll think about going to France (French Derby) or straight to Ascot.”

Emily Dickinson stars in Yorkshire Cup confirmations

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Ascot Gold Cup favourite Emily Dickinson is one of 11 who could line up in the Boodles Yorkshire Cup Stakes on Friday.

Having ended last season with a victory in the Loughbrown Stakes, the daughter of Dubawi returned with an emphatic five-length success in the Vintage Crop Stakes and is one of three in the mix for Aidan O’Brien in the York marathon alongside Bolshoi Ballet and Dubai Gold Cup champion Broome.

Also among the confirmations is Roger Varian’s St Leger hero Eldar Eldarov and recent Ormonde Stakes winner Hamish, while Quickthorn romped to victory on the Knavesmire in the Lonsdale Cup in the summer and could represent the in-form Hughie Morrison.

Eldar Eldarov on his way to winning the Cazoo St Leger Stakes at Doncaster
Eldar Eldarov on his way to winning the Cazoo St Leger Stakes at Doncaster (Tim Goode/PA)

There could be an interesting rematch in the Clipper EBF Marygate Fillies’ Stakes with Newmarket one-two Persian Dreamer and Dorothy Lawrence in the 16 entries.

Dominic Ffrench Davis’ speedy daughter of Clayx got the upper hand on the Rowley Mile, but the Karl Burke-trained runner-up suffered plenty of trouble in running and will be attempting to turn the tables granted a clear passage.

Others of interest include William Haggas’ taking Windsor scorer Relief Rally and recent Lily Agnes winner Ziggy’s Phoenix who could attempt to quickly seal some valuable black type.

The other Listed action is the Oaks Farm Stables Fillies’ Stakes and Juddmonte hold a strong hand with the improving Coppice and reappearing Juliet Sierra who was last seen finishing fifth in the Cheveley Park in September.

Radley Stakes winner Magical Sunset has already been seen twice this season and has match practice on her side, while Queen For You is one of three entries for John and Thady Gosden following an impressive debut at Ascot earlier this month.

Passenger added to Dante field

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Sir Michael Stoute’s Passenger has been supplemented for the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes, with 14 in contention for the York feature.

An impressive winner of the Wood Ditton at Newmarket on debut, it has cost connections £14,000 to add the son of Ulysees into the Betfred Derby trial, which Stoute has won on seven occasions and landed 12 months ago with subsequent Epsom hero Desert Crown.

Passenger would also have to be supplemented into the Derby itself if passing his Knavesmire assignment, something successfully done eight years ago by Golden Horn.

Golden Horn is one of three winners for John Gosden in the last 10 years and alongside son Thady, the Clarehaven team could be represented by Blue Riband Trial winner Epictetus this time around.

Flying Honours looks most likely to run for Charlie Appleby and Godolphin with stablemate Military Order declared for Lingfield on Saturday, while Charlie Johnston already has one Derby candidate in the form of 2000 Guineas fifth Dubai Mile and could bid to add a second string to his bow with Dear My Friend.

Winner of the Burradon Stakes last time, the colt’s owners, Middleham Park Racing, are now dreaming of further glory.

“We’ve got lots of excited owners on our hands at the moment. Very much the dream is still alive! We’ll have a big crowd there next Thursday and they’re just really excited, just to see how his season develops,” said Middleham Park’s Mike Prince.

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

“The syndicate were absolutely delighted with his run at Newcastle – the form is working out nicely,”

“Him and Flight Plan had a ding-dong battle in the final furlong but he was quite comfortably on top in the last 100 yards and looked to be extending away.

“He’s got a lovely, long stride on him and we think that stride-length will come into play when we step him up to a mile and two. We’re pretty adamant that the step up in trip will suit him.”

Cairo and Continuous are possibles for Aidan O’Brien, while John Joseph Murphy’s Ballysax winner White Birch is another potential raider from Ireland.

Free Wind has been added to the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Middleton Fillies' Stakes mix
Free Wind has been added to the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Middleton Fillies’ Stakes mix (Mike Egerton/PA)

Canberra Legend was a taking winner of the Feilden Stakes and could bid to get his Classic ticket stamped, with the Craven Stakes form represented by Andrew Balding’s The Foxes and Roger Teal’s Dancing Magic, who finished second and third respectively at Newmarket.

In the supporting Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Middleton Fillies’ Stakes, the Gosdens have added Free Wind to the line-up at a cost of £11,200, but their star filly Nashwa is a notable absentee.

A maximum of eight will head to post in the 10-furlong contest, with German Oaks winner Toskana Belle a possible to make her debut for Roger Varian and Richard Hannon’s track-and-trip scorer Aristia another name of note.

Infinite Cosmos headlines top-class possibles list for Musidora

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There could be a stellar cast for the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes which headlines day one of York’s Dante meeting, with Sir Michael Stoute’s Oaks contender Infinite Cosmos among the 16 possibles.

The daughter of Sea The Stars is disputing second-favouritism for the Epsom Classic on June 2 following an impressive display at Newmarket over Guineas weekend and the Freemason Lodge handler knows what it takes to win this contest having landed the recognised Oaks trial on eight occasions previously.

Andrew Balding’s Sea Of Roses interestingly got the better of Infinite Cosmos at Doncaster on debut and forms part of the possible opposition, which could also include Ralph Beckett’s highly-regarded Juddmonte filly Bluestocking and Jack Channon’s wide-margin Newbury maiden winner Gather Ye Rosebuds.

Further spice is added to the mix by Fillies’ Mile second and third Novakai and Bright Diamond, who both represent Karl Burke, while Richard Fahey’s Oh So Sharp Stakes scorer Midnight Mile is another bringing top-class two-year-old form to the table and has the potential to land a blow for local Yorkshire handlers.

Defending champion Highfield Princess features in the confirmations for the 1895 Duke Of York Clipper Stakes.

John Quinn’s six-year-old was one of the stars of last season and not only won this contest by nearly three lengths, but returned to the Knavesmire to land the Nunthorpe later in the campaign.

Others that could line up in the six-furlong event include Australian raider The Astrologist, who is being prepared for a Royal Ascot tilt following his narrow defeat in the Al Quoz Sprint, Roger Varian’s Dragon Symbol and Roger Teal’s Oxted who has not been seen since the summer of 2021.

Ground key to Rogue Millennium’s summer plans

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Tom Clover will bid to land a Group race with Rogue Millennium this summer, providing there is some ease in the ground.

The daughter of Dubawi stayed on well under Jack Mitchell to finish third to India in the Group Three Prix Allez France at ParisLongchamp at the end of last month, having opened her four-year-old season with a runner-up effort to Foxes Tales in the Listed Magnolia Stakes at Kempton

Last season’s Lingfield Oaks Trial heroine may now be aimed at York’s Group Two Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Middleton Fillies’ Stakes on Thursday week, according to her Newmarket handler.

Clover said: “She is a lovely filly. She has done well physically from three to four and it is nice she has got two more nice bits of black type next to her name this year already.

“I think she just relished that slightly easier ground at Longchamp. We had a very dry summer last year and it was very difficult to find suitable ground for her.

“But she has come out of it well and I suppose the last couple of years in the Middleton there have been five, six or seven runners.

“The race is an early closer, but we will have to have a look. I don’t know whether we will go there. There is also the possibility of a Group Two at Saint-Cloud.

“I think she appreciates some cut underfoot and we are a little dependent there. She is in good form and please God she can bag a Group race this year, which would be amazing. She is a lovely horse to have around.”

Clover will have plenty of juvenile talent within his ranks this season, although he has high hopes for three-year-olds Rogue Lightning and Rogue Spirit.

The former won a six-furlong Newmarket novice on debut last June and opened this term with a fair third in a five-and-a-half-furlong Listed contest at Chantilly in March, while Rogue Spirit won twice last season in a busy campaign.

“We are in a slightly rebuilding year. We have some lovely two-year-olds coming through and over half the horses are two-year-olds,” explained Clover. “A few horses ended up moving on last year, which is part and parcel of our game, sadly.

“Rogue Lightning looks a nice prospect. He ran a nice race at Chantilly in a Listed race to be third, when they went very hard and he didn’t quite get home.

“And Rogue Spirit’s form with Cold Case, who won at Ascot on Wednesday, looks very strong. Likewise, the form with Al Dasim, whom he beat at Haydock in September, looks solid, as that one did well in Dubai over the winter.”

He added: “We have a few maidens still to run. Rogue Sea, another three-year-old, won quite nicely a couple of weeks ago at Yarmouth on debut.

“Rogue Lion has quite a nice pedigree and ran quite a nice race on debut when fourth at Nottingham.

“Hopefully he is one to pick up nice races through the summer and hopefully will make up into a nice four-year-old as well. He’s going nicely and he’s a bonny horse – I like him.”

The Astrologist primed for British bow at York

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Australian sprinter The Astrologist is all set to run at York next week.

The Leon and Troy Corstens-trained six-year-old has been based at Marco Botti’s yard since arriving in the UK following his second place in the Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai, with Royal Ascot his ultimate destination.

He is due to run in the 1895 Duke of York Clipper Stakes first and was partnered by Ryan Moore when he worked over five furlongs of the Rowley Mile on Friday.

“The whole point of coming up here was to stimulate him a little bit more than a gallop up the Limeklins,” said assistant trainer Dom Sutton.

“Ryan Moore said he was a little unbalanced on the undulations, but that is something he is not used to back home. York is a flat, galloping track which will suit him well.

“He has had the flight from Australia to Dubai and from Dubai to here and he seems to have taken it well. He is a fit horse and he will probably have another piece like that and that will do him.

“He has really acclimatised well. He is a pretty relaxed horse day to day and he has a good head and shoulders on him in that sense.”

He went on: “Coming to Britain was on the radar, but he had to run well in Dubai to warrant coming over here. Being as we were halfway, it made sense to come here as opposed to going back to Australia then coming over from there.

“The market never really respects him. Whatever Group One he has run in, he has always been an outsider. When he was second in the Newmarket he was a 60-1 outsider. Whatever price he gets sent off won’t worry us.

“He is not a typical Australian sprinter as he is one that makes his own luck. If he is somewhere near his best, he should go well.

“We are hoping to get Ryan Moore on board, but we have to see what Aidan O’Brien does as he still has three in the race. If we do get Ryan to ride him, it will be fantastic.”

Dante bid possible for The Foxes

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A crack at York’s Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes appears to be on the cards for The Foxes following his second on reappearance in the Craven Stakes.

The Andrew Balding-trained colt cost 440,000 guineas as a yearling and went someway to justifying that price-tag when following up his maiden success at Goodwood with victory in the Royal Lodge at Newmarket in his final appearance at two.

The form of that Group Two triumph got a boost when runner-up Dubai Mile successfully stepped up to 10 furlongs in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud and The Foxes will likely now be given his own opportunity to shine at that distance following a pleasing return at Newmarket.

The Foxes (left) winning the Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket last September
The Foxes (left) winning the Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket last September (David Davies/PA)

Tackling a mile in the Craven, he travelled smoothly before giving way to Karl Burke’s 2000 Guineas contender Indestructible in the closing stages – a run that will have blown away any cobwebs before a trip to the Knavesmire on May 18.

“He’s a lovely horse. In hindsight I wish I had just followed Indestructible a bit longer,” said Oisin Murphy – who rode The Foxes on the Rowley Mile.

“We felt before the race he would stay a mile and a quarter well and Andrew (Balding) and Alastair Donald (racing manager for owners King Power Racing) mentioned he will probably go for the Dante.

“He’s by Churchill who is a son of Galileo and his best distance was over a mile and we also know the family – we had Bangkok who is the half-brother. He is a lovely horse.”

Dante target for Dancing Magic

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Roger Teal views Dancing Magic as “probably the best maiden in the country” as he prepares to step his consistent colt up in trip for the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes at York.

Beaten only a length on debut at Salisbury last season, the son of Camelot was unfortunate not to shed his maiden status at Newbury on his second start before being handed some stiff assignments in his final three outings at two.

Following a second to Naval Power in Haydock’s Ascendant Stakes, he was then beaten less than three lengths behind Godolphin’s 2000 Guineas hope Silver Knott before bumping into Aidan O’Brien’s Auguste Rodin in the Group One Vertem Futurity where the bay finished a creditable fourth.

Held in high regard by his handler and the team at Shefford Valley Stables, he again ran a fine race in defeat when third in the Craven on his return and having ruled out a return to Newmarket for the 2000 Guineas, Teal is now eyeing a move up to 10 furlongs on the Knavesmire on May 18.

He said: “He’s come out of the Craven well and we decided to miss the Guineas and go to York for the Dante – I think he will be suited by a step up in trip.

“We were delighted with him and he ran a great race and hopefully he can go to York now and we’ll give him a chance over a mile and a quarter and see how he goes.

“He’s probably the best maiden in the country and he has never actually disappointed us. He was unlucky not to break his maiden tag at Newbury last season, but whenever we’ve thrown him in, he’s never disgraced us. He’s going the right way anyway.”

York could also be graced with the presence of Teal’s Royal Ascot scorer Oxted who is in line to return from a long absence in the 1895 Duke of York Clipper Stakes.

The winner of the King’s Stand at the Royal meeting in 2021, he was last seen finishing third in the July Cup later that summer, then missing the best part of two years through injury.

However, the seven-year-old is now nearing his eagerly-awaited return with the hope of rewarding the patience of his connections when back to full fitness.

Oxted ridden by jockey Cieren Fallon celebrates winning the King’s Stand Stakes during day one of Royal Ascot in 2021
Oxted ridden by jockey Cieren Fallon celebrates winning the King’s Stand Stakes during day one of Royal Ascot in 2021 (Steven Paston/PA)

“Oxted is good and hopefully you will see him at York,” continued Teal.

“He’s training well and we are delighted with him. Fingers crossed we can get him to York in one piece and that will kick start his season.

“Whether or not he will be straight enough to win I don’t know, but we’ve got to start somewhere and he will come on for the run that’s for sure – he’s been off the track a fair while.

“The owners have been very patient and a lot of work has gone into getting him back. He’s been up on the treadmill at Fiona Marner’s at Windmill Farm and they have done a lot of the boring stuff for us and then we’ve got him back and he’s starting to shine.

“Every day is a sort of prayer day but hopefully we can get him there.”

Varian looking at starting options for The Platinum Queen

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Roger Varian has identified races at York and Haydock as potential starting points for The Platinum Queen ahead of a crack at the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The Cotai Glory filly was one of the stars of the 2022 Flat season when trained by Richard Fahey, justifying ambitious campaigning from previous owners Middleham Park Racing by picking up a silver medal in the Nunthorpe and plundering the Prix de l’Abbaye at ParisLongchamp in October.

She was sold to Katsumi Yoshida for 1.2million guineas at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale and she will now sport the colours previously worn in the UK by Flotus when she makes her first start for Varian, having also swapped the northern racing hotspot of Malton for Newmarket in the close season.

The Platinum Queen will be trained by Roger Varian this season
The Platinum Queen will be trained by Roger Varian this season (Mike Egerton/PA)

Her new trainer has nominated the five-furlong King’s Stand Stakes as the three-year-old’s Royal Ascot target and is considering either York’s Westow Stakes (May 18) or the Temple Stakes at Haydock (May 27) as options to first blow away the cobwebs.

“I think there’s the Listed race for three-year-olds at York or there’s the Temple Stakes and we would like to run her before Ascot,” said the Carlburg Stables handler.

“We would like to run her in the King’s Stand at Royal Ascot, but it would be nice to get a run into her beforehand and those would be the two options I think.”