Spare a fleeting thought for racing journalists who got stuck with the Bank holiday shift yesterday.
Probably already not feeling great after a Sunday session in the pub, what you really want when running a racing desk on a Bank holiday Monday is a quiet day when nothing really happens
Bank holiday's usually have a busy racing programme, so all that is required is a few nice stories for your race meeting review and then put your coat on as the "lucky last" goes off and you're out the door three strides after the winner has gone past the post.
Not yesterday, however.
First, there was the story of former Olympic cyclist Victoria Pendleton having her first ride as an amateur in the last race at Ripon. So you know that regardless of whether she wins or not, you'll have to wait around for some quotes to be filed and write up a more detailed review of the race than a Class 6 amateurs' handicap usually warrants. No dashing out of the door before the "weighed in" has been called.
On top of that there were the retirement announcements of two racehorses and a jockey in the form of Hurricane Fly, Telescope and Hayley Turner.
This means more quotes, more articles to file and all the while trying to remember how many races they won, which races and when.
Showing posts with label Telescope. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Telescope. Show all posts
01 September 2015
26 July 2014
Racing review: Saturday 26 July 2014
Taghrooda topples Telescope in King George
The 2014 running of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes went to John Gosden’s filly Taghrooda (7/2), who remains unbeaten in four races.
It was a strongly run race, with a good pace set by Leitir Mor and Taghrooda was at the back of the field for much of the contest. But she made good progress through the field in the home straight under Paul Hanagan, who is having a dream season.
As a three-year-old filly, Taghrooda received a substantial weight allowance from several of her older, male rivals and this could have made all the difference. The favourite Telescope (5/2f) carried 9-7 to the filly’s 8-6 and the winning distance was three lengths at the post.
Haggas fires in the winners
Trainer William Haggas had winners across the country on Saturday an added five victories to his tally for the season.
Zaraee (5/2jf) kicked things off at Newcastle (2.30), then Mange All (10/1) won the one-mile handicap at Ascot (2.40). These wins were followed by the impressive Muthmir (4/1f) and Valley Of Fire (9/2) at York (3.30 & 4.05).
Daydreamer (7/4f) rounded off a successful day in the in 8.05 at Lingfield. Before the race Daydreamer was the only horse in Haggas’ stable rated below 70. The eight-length win will likely take the gelding above that mark.
Mark Johnston was not far behind with three winners around the UK, including Heavy Metal (33/1) in the valuable Longines International Stakes at Ascot. It bodes well for Glorious Goodwood next week.
The 2014 running of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes went to John Gosden’s filly Taghrooda (7/2), who remains unbeaten in four races.
It was a strongly run race, with a good pace set by Leitir Mor and Taghrooda was at the back of the field for much of the contest. But she made good progress through the field in the home straight under Paul Hanagan, who is having a dream season.
As a three-year-old filly, Taghrooda received a substantial weight allowance from several of her older, male rivals and this could have made all the difference. The favourite Telescope (5/2f) carried 9-7 to the filly’s 8-6 and the winning distance was three lengths at the post.
Haggas fires in the winners
Trainer William Haggas had winners across the country on Saturday an added five victories to his tally for the season.
Zaraee (5/2jf) kicked things off at Newcastle (2.30), then Mange All (10/1) won the one-mile handicap at Ascot (2.40). These wins were followed by the impressive Muthmir (4/1f) and Valley Of Fire (9/2) at York (3.30 & 4.05).
Daydreamer (7/4f) rounded off a successful day in the in 8.05 at Lingfield. Before the race Daydreamer was the only horse in Haggas’ stable rated below 70. The eight-length win will likely take the gelding above that mark.
Mark Johnston was not far behind with three winners around the UK, including Heavy Metal (33/1) in the valuable Longines International Stakes at Ascot. It bodes well for Glorious Goodwood next week.
21 August 2013
Ebor 2013: Juddmonte Goes To War
There were some race-hardened battlers in the 2013 running of the Juddmonte International Stakes at York but it was Declaration Of War (7/1) who showed the strength to defeat his rivals.
Aidan O’Brien’s colt was having his seventh race of the season and had already contested some of the season’s hottest races – the likes of the Lockinge Stakes, the Coral-Eclipse, and the Qipco Sussex Stakes. Not two weeks ago he had hopped over to Deauville for the Prix Du Haras De Fresnay Jacques Le Marois (Group 1).
But he showed no signs of fatigue and stayed on well to beat Trading Leather (5/1) and Al Kazeem (11/8f).
Toronado’s (9/4) exertions in beating Dawn Approach at Goodwood in the Sussex Stakes at the end of July looked to have taken more out of him than was perhaps apparent. He was soon in trouble trying to keep pace with his rivals in the long home straight and eventually finished a distance last.
Sir Michael Stoute’s Telescope (5/4f) put the disappointment of Haydock behind him by winning the Group 2 Great Voltigeur Stakes in very good style. He seemed to be very keen in the early stages but jockey Ryan Moore said afterwards it was more to do with his long stride than any particular keenness that means he has to try and hold him in check.
It was the first part of a double for Moore, who also won aboard Clive Brittain’s Bahamian Heights (12/1) in the closing nursery race (16.55).
Telescope’s victory also marked Highclere Thoroughbred Racing’s 400th winner, which is a fine achievement for the racing syndicate.
The opening sprint handicap on the card (13.55) gave a welcome win for Kevin Ryan’s Bogart (7/1). On his last run at York in July the saddle had slipped on him and gave jockey Amy Ryan an horrific high-speed fall. Ridden today by Neil Callan while Amy recovers, there was no such drama as he sprinted up the stands side to win from Goldream (9/1). It was good to see Amy in the winner’s enclosure to applaud him back.
The fillies take centre stage in Thursday with the Darley Yorkshire Oaks (Group 1) over 1 mile 4f. John Gosden’s The Fugue is favourite but faces some younger rivals in the shape of Epsom Oaks runner-up Secret Gesture and Riposte, winner of the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Aidan O’Brien’s colt was having his seventh race of the season and had already contested some of the season’s hottest races – the likes of the Lockinge Stakes, the Coral-Eclipse, and the Qipco Sussex Stakes. Not two weeks ago he had hopped over to Deauville for the Prix Du Haras De Fresnay Jacques Le Marois (Group 1).
But he showed no signs of fatigue and stayed on well to beat Trading Leather (5/1) and Al Kazeem (11/8f).
Toronado’s (9/4) exertions in beating Dawn Approach at Goodwood in the Sussex Stakes at the end of July looked to have taken more out of him than was perhaps apparent. He was soon in trouble trying to keep pace with his rivals in the long home straight and eventually finished a distance last.
Sir Michael Stoute’s Telescope (5/4f) put the disappointment of Haydock behind him by winning the Group 2 Great Voltigeur Stakes in very good style. He seemed to be very keen in the early stages but jockey Ryan Moore said afterwards it was more to do with his long stride than any particular keenness that means he has to try and hold him in check.
It was the first part of a double for Moore, who also won aboard Clive Brittain’s Bahamian Heights (12/1) in the closing nursery race (16.55).
Telescope’s victory also marked Highclere Thoroughbred Racing’s 400th winner, which is a fine achievement for the racing syndicate.
The opening sprint handicap on the card (13.55) gave a welcome win for Kevin Ryan’s Bogart (7/1). On his last run at York in July the saddle had slipped on him and gave jockey Amy Ryan an horrific high-speed fall. Ridden today by Neil Callan while Amy recovers, there was no such drama as he sprinted up the stands side to win from Goldream (9/1). It was good to see Amy in the winner’s enclosure to applaud him back.
The fillies take centre stage in Thursday with the Darley Yorkshire Oaks (Group 1) over 1 mile 4f. John Gosden’s The Fugue is favourite but faces some younger rivals in the shape of Epsom Oaks runner-up Secret Gesture and Riposte, winner of the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot.
20 August 2013
Racing Preview: York’s Ebor Festival
York’s Ebor Festival begins on Wednesday and provides four days of good racing and entertainment.
Wednesday’s card includes the Great Voltigeur Stakes (Group 2) and Sir Michael Stoute’s much vaunted Telescope is favourite. The colt was beaten by a length in the Betfred Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock Park last time when 4/9f.
In the Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes Al Kazeem faces five rivals in his bid to go five races unbeaten this season.
Roger Charlton’s horse has already won three Group One races this season: the Tattersalls Gold Cup (Group 1), the Prince of Wales’s Stakes (Group 1), and the Coral-Eclipse (Group 1).
His rivals include Toronado, winner of the Qipco Sussex Stakes last time, and Irish Derby winner Trading Leather.
The rest of the week features the Darley Yorkshire Oaks, the Weatherbys Hamilton Insurance Lonsdale Cup, Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes, the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Gimcrack Stakes, and the Betfred Ebor Heritage Handicap.
Wednesday’s card includes the Great Voltigeur Stakes (Group 2) and Sir Michael Stoute’s much vaunted Telescope is favourite. The colt was beaten by a length in the Betfred Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock Park last time when 4/9f.
In the Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes Al Kazeem faces five rivals in his bid to go five races unbeaten this season.
Roger Charlton’s horse has already won three Group One races this season: the Tattersalls Gold Cup (Group 1), the Prince of Wales’s Stakes (Group 1), and the Coral-Eclipse (Group 1).
His rivals include Toronado, winner of the Qipco Sussex Stakes last time, and Irish Derby winner Trading Leather.
The rest of the week features the Darley Yorkshire Oaks, the Weatherbys Hamilton Insurance Lonsdale Cup, Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes, the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Gimcrack Stakes, and the Betfred Ebor Heritage Handicap.
14 May 2013
Racing Preview: York Dante Meeting
The Dante Meeting takes place over three days from 15 – 17 May 2013 at York racecourse, also known as the Knavesmire.
As well as being a very enjoyable early summer Flat meeting, the three days’ racing at York provides some useful clues to the upcoming Classics races at Epsom in June, namely the Oaks and the Derby.
The two key trials races at the Dante Meeting are the Betfred Dante Stakes for three-year-old colts and the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes for three-year-old fillies. Both are run over 1 mile 2 furlongs and act as trials for the Epsom Derby and Oaks respectively.
The Dante Stakes has proved a good trial for the Epsom Derby and several recent winners have gone on from York to win at Epsom in June, including North Light (2004), Motivator (2005), and Authorized (2007).
2012 Dante winner Bonfire finished sixth in the Epsom Derby, whilst Carlton House was third in 2011, and Tartan Bearer (2008) finished second to New Approach.
For 2013’s running of the Dante it was expected that Sir Michael Stoute’s Telescope would feature prominently because the colt was a leading contender for the Epsom Derby. But on Tuesday Telescope was withdrawn from the Betfred Dante Stakes after suffering a minor infection in some cuts on his legs.
Eight horses remain in Thursday’s race including Aidan O’Brien’s Indian Chief. The trainer has been winning many of the Epsom Derby trial races. Mark Johnston’s unbeaten Windhoek is also still in the line up.
Away from the Epsom trial races, another highlight of the Dante Meeting at York is the Qipco Yorkshire Cup, a Group 2 race for Flat staying horses over 1 mile 6 furlongs. The Yorkshire Cup is part of the Qipco British Champions Series.
As well as being a very enjoyable early summer Flat meeting, the three days’ racing at York provides some useful clues to the upcoming Classics races at Epsom in June, namely the Oaks and the Derby.
The two key trials races at the Dante Meeting are the Betfred Dante Stakes for three-year-old colts and the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes for three-year-old fillies. Both are run over 1 mile 2 furlongs and act as trials for the Epsom Derby and Oaks respectively.
The Dante Stakes has proved a good trial for the Epsom Derby and several recent winners have gone on from York to win at Epsom in June, including North Light (2004), Motivator (2005), and Authorized (2007).
2012 Dante winner Bonfire finished sixth in the Epsom Derby, whilst Carlton House was third in 2011, and Tartan Bearer (2008) finished second to New Approach.
For 2013’s running of the Dante it was expected that Sir Michael Stoute’s Telescope would feature prominently because the colt was a leading contender for the Epsom Derby. But on Tuesday Telescope was withdrawn from the Betfred Dante Stakes after suffering a minor infection in some cuts on his legs.
Eight horses remain in Thursday’s race including Aidan O’Brien’s Indian Chief. The trainer has been winning many of the Epsom Derby trial races. Mark Johnston’s unbeaten Windhoek is also still in the line up.
Away from the Epsom trial races, another highlight of the Dante Meeting at York is the Qipco Yorkshire Cup, a Group 2 race for Flat staying horses over 1 mile 6 furlongs. The Yorkshire Cup is part of the Qipco British Champions Series.
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