The son of Barathea ran a very respectable race at Royal Ascot, when a six-length sixth to Duke Of Marmalade in the Prince Of Wales’.

He must reverse form with Phoenix Tower and Pipedreamer, but Swinburn believes that the horse is entitled to take his chance.

He told At The Races: “That run was much more like in because [he had disappointed previously at Chester].

“That was his best race so far. He’s a horse who comes good in the second half of the season.

“It’s a very open event and that’s another reason why we’re taking our chance.

“He’s not going to be disgraced; he’s a very honest horse. If we can get another dry day, he’s lots going for him.”
(Source: Setanta Sports)

“The government did not order us to make this decision but we felt the need do this because we have a social responsibility as a public institution,” said Park Sang-young, an official with the state’s Korea Racing Association (KRA).

Crude prices have surged seven-fold since the start of 2002 as supply struggles to keep up with demand from emerging nations such as China. South Korea, which imports nearly all of its oil, has been hit hard by record high prices.

The KRA planned to have night races on the weekends from mid July through August. It will start the racing day earlier during those times in order to complete a full card before the sun sets.
(Source: Guardian)

There was little surprise when lot 78, a Chichicastenango half-brother to French star chaser Mid Dancer, topped the billing when knocked down to Robert Collet for €210,000. Owner Gaëtan Gilles said of the sale, “I wanted €200,000 so for me this represented a good sale.”

Collet was back in action for the late entry (lot 157a) of Young Poli. Listed winner on the flat as a three year-old he has since produced good form over hurdles and boasts a Listed win and Grade 3 second. Sold to end a partnership, Collet went to €125,000 to stave off the eventual underbidder Xavier Papot, son of the majority owner.

Bobby O’Ryan, who has been active at all the sales this year, purchased lot 159, Prince De Beauchene, for €200,000. while James Delahooke was early to strike, landing lot 14, a Mark Dwyer-consigned Barathea gelding for €130,000.

Paul Nataf picked up the last of the big lots when going to €125,000 for lot 214, a three year-old Sendawar half-brother to Listed-winning Laxlova.

Overall the stores were the most disappointing aspect of the sale with just one in two finding a buyer. Private sales of €305,000 helped to buoy the aggregate with twice last year’s figure being registered. Average was down by 8.9% to €26,769.

Highflyer Bloodstock led the buyers tables, securing nine lots for a total of €413,000. The Aga Khan Studs was leading vendor with twelve sold for €322,500.

Full list of results is available here

Pocket Power is currently on offer at 33-10 and is a worthy favourite. Mike Bass’s runner is the best horse in the country over this distance and if this was a weight-for-age event, he would start at a very short price.

Although he is set to carry 58kg and is conceding weight to all the other runners, it will take a very good horse to stop him. The runner capable of doing that is undoubtedly Sean Tarry’s Buy and Sell.

He was my selection last year when he was narrowly beaten into second by Hunting Tower. Based on last year’s race, he is not well off at the weights with either Hunting Tower or Pocket Power, who finished fourth, just a head behind Buy and Sell.

However, looking at more recent form, Buy and Sell is well weighted - with Pocket Power in particular.

He finished fourth in the J&B Met, 2.05 lengths behind the son of Jet Master, and Piere Strydom felt that if he had been able to get to a gap before Our Giant, he would have finished a lot closer.

Buy and Sell is 2kg better off with Pocket Power on that run and 2.5kg better off on their Gold Challenge run, in which he finished a neck ahead of Pocket Power.

If Pocket Power was unsuited to the slow pace in that 1600m race at Clairwood, then so was Buy and Sell. Johnny Geroudis tried to keep him up with the front-runners but in a sprint down the straight, he had little hope of pacing it out with the likes of Dancer’s Daughter and Imbongi.

Tarry is the master of understatement and when he says “Buy and Sell is doing extremely well and I’m sure he will have a say in the finish’’. There is a lot more confidence exuding from that guarded statement than appears on the surface.

His runner has a No 16 draw, but good gate speed combined with the services of Felix Coetzee should enable Buy and Sell to overcome the obstacle.

He has run twice at this track, both over 2200m, for a win and a narrow second. When he won the Daily News over 2200m last year, he was drawn at No 14 and still coasted in by 3.25 lengths from Lucky Find, who set the Dubai tracks alight earlier this year.

Pocket Power must be his biggest threat. He is well drawn, well handicapped and sounder than last year.

“He is doing well, working well and I think he is right back to best this week,’’ said Bass. “Being as good as he is, he is probably the horse to beat. It depends how much weight he can give away and to whom.

“Whether the bottomweights can beat him, I don’t know. He ran well last year and I think he will run well again this year. I believe he will be in the finish. If he gets his head in front, then good luck.’’

Lightly weighted four-year-olds have a great record in the Durban July and this year River Jetez fits that mould. Many people discount her win in the Astrapak 1900 at this track, but that was her second outing after a layoff and she did well to get up in a slow-run race over a distance short of her best. With just 50.5kg to shoulder, she carries 3kg less than in the Astrapak over 300m shorter and has a superb pilot in Jeff Lloyd, who is seeking his first win in the race.

“I think she’s come on since the Astrapak,’’ said Bass. “She seems to have improved a little bit here, is stronger and working better so perhaps she’s got a shout. It’s a tough call for her so I just hope she goes pretty close. I’m very happy to have Jeff Lloyd riding her.’’

There are two schools of thought on the three-year-olds. Many believe one of the five will take top honours while others feel they are not good enough.

Perhaps trainer Mike de Kock put it into perspective when talking about his sole runner, Galant Gagnant: “He has had a good prep but I can’t see him as a July winner. I have had two winners before and they were in a different division to him. He has run with the best of the three-year-olds and I suppose we have to take our chances based on the form. I will be ecstatic if he runs in the first four to be honest.’’

One can throw a blanket over Galant Gagnant, Russian Sage and Tan Can, so if De Kock gives his runner little chance, the other two should struggle as well. Eddington may well have won the Gommagomma Challenge but he is a bit of a mud lark and thrived in those conditions. Lion’s Blood’s last run was shocking and he will need colossal improvement to win.

Wendywood is an unknown. Every bit of commonsense says a filly who had not seen a racetrack six weeks ago and then won two races cannot have a chance in the Durban July. But for any runner to win a Grade 1 race over 2000m at the second time of asking is an extraordinary feat and Tarry would not be fielding her if he felt she had no chance.

“She’s obviously inexperienced and that’s her only negative. Otherwise she is a very, very good filly. She is drawn well (No 1) and her prep has gone extremely well. I know she is good enough and if the inexperience doesn’t catch her out, she is a big runner.’’

Anton Marcus will become the first jockey ride five July winners should Pick Six capture the race. Despite being well weighted, Pick Six failed in a plated race behind St Raphael last time and his conqueror did little to frank the form when unplaced in the Gold Challenge.

Dancer’s Daughter has her fans but even if she does have the necessary stamina for this 2200m (which is questionable on the way she runs), I cannot see her confirming the Gold Challenge form with Pocket Power or Buy and Sell over this distance.

There is also a formline from the Paddock Stakes, where she is 4kg worse off with River Jetez, that indicates she will battle to beat Bass’s filly over 2200m.

One always has to respect Ormond Ferraris and Weichong Marwing but She’s on Fire is close to Eddington form and if one does not rate him with a serious chance, she should also not be a contender.
(Source: Tabonline)

A clearance rate of more than 90% highlighted today’s Inglis Winter Thoroughbred Sale, where more than $1million was traded.

Overall, 193 horses sold for $1,027,350, with a top price of $70,000 achieved twice throughout the day.

Grand Lodge mare Tiffin (ex G2 placed Discriminate, by Marauding) was sold in foal to Zeditave for that amount, carrying a three-quarter relation to her stakes winning half-siblings Major and Happen.

Three-year-old filly Burleigh Sky (Hurricane Sky-Alkimiyah, by Chromite) was the other $70,000 sale topper today after originally being passed in through the ring.

But the half-sister to this season’s dual stakes winner Litter was later sold using William Inglis’ Post Sale Service, where offers on passed in horses can be made online and sent to an Inglis agent.

Online bidding also played a big part in today’s sale, with 18% of the Lots attracting an online bid and 5% selling online.

Other highlights today included $67,500 for an Al Maher yearling filly from the Sir Tristram mare Abbotswood.

All yearlings sold today are eligible to enter the Inglis Race Series and contest the Scone Challenge.

“It was a very pleasing day of trading at Newmarket today, highlighted by the extremely high clearance rate, which underlines the strength of the market and demand for tried horses,” Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster said.

“It is also great to see buyers embracing the new technology we have implemented this year, with both online bidding and our new post sale service providing vendors with more opportunities to sell their horses.”

Attention now turns to the looming deadline for nomination into the 2008 William Inglis Yearling Sale series.

Breeders are reminded that nominations for the Classic, Premier, Easter and Autumn Yearling Sales close on August 1.

The next Inglis Sale is the Melbourne August Thoroughbred Sale at Oaklands in Melbourne, which has attracted an entry of more than 400 horses. Owing to the outstanding response, this sale will now be held over two days, beginning a day earlier on Thursday August 14 and concluding Friday August 15.

That sale will be followed by the Scone Broodmare Sale on August 29, with nominations for that sale closing on July 18.

Sale Statistics - Lots 1 to 251

www.inglis.com.au

Redoute’s Choice, a former Blue Diamond Stakes winner and champion sire, has the most progeny entered amongst the sires with 80 nominations. Encosta De Lago (67 nominations) is the next highest nominated sire followed by Exceed and Excel and Fastnet Rock (both with 65 nominations), whilst the training establishments of David Hayes (96 nominations), Lee Freedman (73 nominations), Peter Snowden (64 nominations) and Gai Waterhouse (47 nominations) head the list of most prolific nominators for the event.

First acceptances ($220) for the 2009 Blue Diamond Stakes close at noon on Tuesday, 25 November 2008. For any horses not currently entered, the first late nomination stage ($5,500) also closes at that same time.
table bordercolor=”#000000″ cellspacing=”2″ cellpadding=”7″ width=”710″ border=”1″>

(Source: Thoroughbred News)

The South Island showcase of unraced two-year-olds is packed with potential and value, with star graduate Master O’Reilly flying the flag for this unique sales opportunity. This year’s catalogue sees 173 two-year-olds, plus broodmares, yearlings and racehorses.

The Winter Mixed Bloodstock Sale will see 101 horses catalogued for sale, including broodmares, yearlings, two-year-olds, unraced horses and racehorses.

Catalogues for both Sales will go in the post on Tuesday.
www.nzb.co.nz

No injuries
“The entire members’ stand on the top floor of the two-storey building on a side of the racecourse ground is gutted. Fortunately, nobody was injured because the stand was locked,” an official of the Royal Western India Turf Club that owns and runs the racecourse, told The Hindu.

He said the fire could have been caused by an electric short circuit.

The fire started around 8 p.m. Twelve fire engines and five water tankers were rushed to the spot in response to the call, graded number two.

Scores of firemen battled the huge blaze for hours.

The Turf Club is virtually empty these days as its 1,200 horses and the staff have shifted to Pune, where the new racing season is to begin shortly.
(Source: The Hindu)

The 2007-08 racing season was due to finish on Tuesday at Sha Tin, but Tropical Storm Fengshen changed all that when last Wednesday night was washed out.

If that standard midweek fixture had been able to go ahead, on a rain-soaked track, a betting turnover of around HK$750 million would have been the result. So the abandonment and rescheduling ended up a bonanza all round.

Nader said the benchmark Happy Valley midweek meeting took place on May 8, 2002, when punters turned over HK$924 million, and nothing had gone close to that ever since.

“Because this meeting was a one-off, and with so many people having already left town, no-one was quite sure how this would go,” Nader said. “But certainly, no-one was predicting a HK$900 million-plus meeting either. This has been huge.”

The final Happy Valley meeting of last season turned over HK$778.4 million, so last night’s fixture gave the club a year-on-year increase of 17.2 per cent.

Out on the track, Brett Prebble won his sixth Jockey Challenge as heavily-bet odds-on favourite, courtesy of a winning treble that took him to his best season, 83 wins.

Prebble was faultless in landing Amazing Fortune for Francis Lui Kin-wai in the third and hot favourite Thunder Flash for his long-time friend and supporter, David Hall in the trophy race, the Cricket Club Valley Stakes.

But it was the middle pin of his three winners, Marvellous for Peter Ng Bik-kuen, in the Johnston Handicap (race four) which had the most meaning.

Ng went into the 78th and final meeting of the 2007-08 racing season in danger of missing the Jockey Club’s minimum performance criteria.

The veteran horseman saddled three runners for a win with Marvellous and seconds with Active Valour and Dashing Champion to comfortably make it over the line. “Naturally, I’m very pleased the night has gone so well,” Ng said.

“Actually, it was all settled when Active Valour ran second in race one, and everything after that has been a welcome bonus.”

David Ferraris continued his brilliant end-of-season flourish with another double, taking his sequence to five wins in the space of two meetings.

Ferraris teamed with Douglas Whyte for the fourth time in three days to win the sixth with Chater Silk ($27 favourite) and then scored the upset of the night with Crusader of Gold ($226) in the final event.

“With Chater Silk, he’s appreciated the freshen up and the stronger pace tonight suited him down to the ground,” Ferraris said. “As far as Crusader of Gold is concerned, it’s a pleasant surprise because I really didn’t think he could win. We’ve been having a lot of trouble with his feet but he was very free in his action tonight and you could see a long way out that he was travelling well and enjoying himself.”

Gary Ng Ting-keung and jockey Eddie Lai Wai-ming won the opening two races with 6-1 chance Master Ying and 10-1 shot King of Spades, giving Lai’s long-priced Jockey Challenge backers an early thrill. The main event in the stewards’ room was a careless riding suspension for Thomas Yeung Kai-tong on his final meeting as an apprentice.

Yeung was fined HK$30,000 in lieu of a suspension for his riding of Wei Hai Invincible at the winning post with a lap to go in race six.
(Source: SCMP)

“It’s a fascinating new development,” said Simon Clare, spokesman for Coral bookmakers, who sponsor the Eclipse. “We’ve seen examples in the past but it’s only in this year and last year that we’ve seen the regular use of several runners to influence the way a race is run.”

The issue of team tactics shot to prominence after the 2006 running of the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, when jockey Seamus Heffernan, riding one of three runners trained by Aidan O’Brien, was banned for 14 days by the Ascot stewards for deliberately interfering with the Godolphin-owned Librettist. On appeal, Heffernan’s barrister successfully argued that Heffernan could not be found guilty of the team tactics rules as they stood and the jockey’s ban was reduced to six days for careless riding.

In response, the British Horseracing Authority redrafted the rules and, since last summer, it has been an offence for any jockey to “make a manoeuvre in a race in the interests of a horse in common ownership…or from the same stable…whether or not such a manoeuvre caused interference.” But stewards have appeared reluctant even to inquire into possible breaches of the new rule.

It seemed there were obvious grounds for concern after the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot recently, when the O’Brien-trained pacemaker Honoured Guest drifted right and interfered with another runner after jockey David McCabe had looked left, where his two stablemates were the only horses on his inside. “How is this fair?” demanded Betfair founder Andrew Black on his blog, while the Racing Post referred to Honoured Guest “waving through” O’Brien’s Haradasun, who won the race by a head.

But the Ascot stewards held no inquiry, a decision supported by the BHA’s Paul Struthers yesterday. “I know that has been looked at here, and the head-on has been looked at as well, and we have come to the conclusion that there was not any interference caused,” he said. “The look over his shoulder doesn’t look great but we believe that the [horse’s] movement is down to the horse drifting as opposed to the jockey manoeuvering.”

However, Struthers confirmed that a pacemaker who deliberately rolled off the rail to let a stablemate through would be in breach of the rules as they stood. Officials in Ireland apparently take a more relaxed view, as McCabe committed exactly that manoeuvre after another look over his shoulder on the home turn of the Irish Derby on Sunday.

Struthers believes the 2003 Eclipse would have resulted in an inquiry under the new rules, had they been in place at the time. Jamie Spencer, riding Godolphin second-string Narrative, denied a clear run to the favourite Nayef, eventually beaten less than a length. Spencer apologised and denied he had been instructed to cause any interference but Struthers says: “Interference was caused, so the stewards would have enquired into that, under the team tactics rules.”

For now, Clare is content that the possibility of team tactics is just another interesting piece of the puzzle set by top-class contests. “I wouldn’t say punters are shying away from betting on these races because of it,” he said, “but you’d want to see it policed effectively.”
(Source: Guardian)

Queensland Racing Limited (QRL) today confirmed it would not be a party to, or initiate, any class action against the Commonwealth and Racing NSW was expected to follow suit.

A new board of Racing NSW is expected to be formed by early September following the tabling of the Thoroughbred Racing Amendment Bill in state parliament last month.

“It will be a decision for the new board but it seems highly unlikely that we will take any action,” Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’Landys said.

QRL chairman Bob Bentley echoed V’Landys’ sentiments, saying the financial assistance package and the new federal government’s decision not to make the industry pay for the eradication of EI meant his organisation would not pursue such a course.

“Given the federal government’s significant contribution of more than $342 million to both NSW and Queensland in response to the disease, QRL will not join or pursue any litigation against the federal government at this stage,” Bentley said.

“Our position on an EI class action stems from the federal government’s considerable contribution to the industry and from the Rudd government’s confirmation that it will not levy the horse industry to repay its share of the costs of eradicating EI.”

However, the multi-million dollar breeding industry, which received no financial assistance, is still considering its position as are others such farriers, transport companies and those involved in performance horse events.

The outbreak of EI in August last year brought racing in NSW and Queensland to a halt for three months and curtailed the breeding industry.

The Callinan Inquiry found it escaped into Australia’s general horse population because of faulty procedures at Sydney Eastern Creek quarantine station.

The effects of EI will continue to be felt over the next four to five years with this year’s foal crop reduced by at least 10 per cent.

The quality of the foal crop has also been reduced with some of the top mares unable to travel to the leading stallions due to movement restrictions in place at the height of the breeding season in September.

While legal action is unlikely, the Australian Racing Board will continue to lobby for ongoing vaccination against EI despite the federal Agriculture Minister Tony Burke’s announcement last week the disease has been eradicated and Australia is now officially EI-free.
(Source: Brisbane Times)

Judge William Bertelsman of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky in Covington ordered the mistrial after the jury could not decide whether to declare Shirley Cunningham Jr. or William Gallion guilty on one charge each of criminal conspiracy. As a result, Cunningham and Gallion will be tried again on the charge, though no date for a second trial has been set.

The mistrial result fails to clear up lingering confusion over whether Cunningham and Gallion will be eligible to be licensed in the states where Curlin plans to race. The two lawyers own 20 percent of Curlin through Midnight Cry Stable, but that stake has been placed in receivership by a judge who presided over a separate but related civil-court judgment against Cunningham, Gallion, and a third lawyer, Melbourne Mills Jr.

Mills was declared not guilty by the jury in the criminal trial earlier in the week. He was released from jail on Tuesday. Gallion and Cunningham remain in jail without bail on the orders of Bertelsman, who has said the two lawyers are a flight risk.

Prosecutors in the case had alleged that the three lawyers intended to defraud their clients out of tens of millions of dollars from a $200 million settlement reached in 2002 with the manufacturer of the diet-drug combination fen-phen. Last year, the civil court concluded that the lawyers had defrauded the clients.

Angela Ford, the attorney representing the clients in the civil case, said that she believed the civil-court judge, Roger Crittenden, would issue a ruling next week to formally transfer the lawyers’ assets to her clients as part of the settlement of the case. The assets will include Midnight Cry’s 20 percent share in Curlin.

For his next start, Curlin is being pointed to either the Arlington Handicap at Arlington Park in Illinois or the Man o’ War Stakes at Belmont Park in New York, both on July 12. Ford predicted that all licensing issues regarding Curlin would be cleared up once Crittenden issued the order to transfer the assets.

“As of next week, that should clear things up for regulators in New York and Illinois,” Ford said. “I can understand their confusion right now, but the order should clearly define the authority and management issues.”

On Monday, Crittenden reiterated in an order that all of Midnight Cry’s earnings were to be managed by the court-appointed receiver. The order was issued after Ford filed a motion on Friday questioning whether a leaseholder arrangement reached by Midnight Cry was in violation of the initial order to put the stable’s earnings under the control of the court. Earlier this year, Midnight Cry’s stake in Curlin was leased to Cunningham’s wife, Patricia, to enable the company to receive a license in Kentucky.

The other 80 percent of Curlin is owned by Stonestreet Stables, a racing company owned by Jess Jackson and his wife, Barbara Banke.

Marc Laino, the executive director of the Illinois Racing Board, said that the board had not yet received a license application from any of the principals that own Curlin. He reiterated that the board could not issue an opinion on whether Midnight Cry, the receiver, or the former plaintiffs in the civil case would be eligible for a license until an application was filed.

“Obviously the clock is ticking,” Laino said. “No matter what the case, we’d need to review quite a bit of paperwork before we issue a license. This isn’t an easy process.”

New York regulatory officials did not return phone calls on Thursday. Richard Getty, a lawyer for Stonestreet, was said to be out of the country on Thursday and didn’t respond to a phone message.
(Source: ESPN)

Despite the escalating oil price and the knock-on effect this had had on fuel and airline costs this does not seem to have impacted on the interest in the Vodacom Durban July.

“By and large the winter season has not been that great, however this weekend there is not an empty bed in town,” said Warren Ozard, FEDHASA’s Operations Manager for the East Coast. “Every flight, every hotel and every B&B is full, which says a lot about the Vodacom Durban July.”

“It is a fantastic attraction,” he added. “It’s no surprise that it has not been affected by the negatives like high fuel prices and skyrocketing airlines costs. People think nothing of flying in for the weekend for the Vodacom Durban July, and we see these visitors spending a lot of money at local restaurants and clubs.”

“These are exactly the sort of people that we want visiting Durban,” he added. “Plenty of businesses in the region, including the catering and hiring companies really benefit from the event and it is a major economic boost for the region.”

Airline bookings into Durban are in most cases overbooked, with eager passengers willing to go onto long waitlists to try and secure a flight to Durban for the weekend.

Hotels in the greater Durban area are either fully booked or close to capacity, with a large number of extravagant functions and parties planned for popular venues in the city to celebrate the Vodacom Durban July.

Around 20% of the visitors to the Vodacom Durban July each year travel from outside of the province to attend the raceday. Whilst they travel by road or air to Durban, the overwhelming majority book into hotels or local bed-and-breakfast establishments for two nights, providing a massive injection of revenue for the greater Durban hospitality industry.

“We have seen over the years that this is the one day in the year that punters and socialites regard as a very high priority,” said Gold Circle’s Event Marketing Manager Ken Tweddell. “Even with the pressure that everyone is feeling on their wallets, it seems that this is one occasion that no-one wants to do without.”

The fashion industry enjoys a bonanza triggered by socialites keen to make a sartorial impression at the Vodacom Durban July, and dress to the raceday’s theme. This year’s theme “It’s A Shore Thing” has proven to be a hit at the pre-raceday fashion competitions, where the marine theme provided waves of inspirations for designers.

All of the top designers approached reported that they were being inundated with requests for men’s and women’s outfits for the Vodacom Durban July, and most were referring these requests to other designers because they couldn’t cope with the demand.

“It’s the usual last minute rush,” said ace Durban designer Kathryn Kidger. “It seems that everyone wants something special to wear for the Vodacom Durban July, but there is a clear trend towards garments that are multifunctional and can be worn to other events as well.”

Department clothing stores and designer label outlets back up the designerssentiments, as a brisk trade in stylish raceday attire underscores the fact that the Vodacom Durban July has lost none of it’s elegance and appeal in the tough economic climate.

“We are into the seventh year of sponsoring the Vodacom Durban July and it is exciting to see that this great event continues to go from strength to strength,” said Dot Field, Vodacoms’ Group Communications Director.

“The event plays a significant role in supporting the national fashion community and it is an important contributor to the economy of the greater Durban region as well,” Field added.

Based on figures extrapolated from a detailed economic impact study done in 2006, it is estimated that around R120 million is generated around theVodacom Durban July, R90million of which will be spent on catering, hospitality, fashion and entertainment, as well as travel and accommodationfor the weekend.

Add to that consumer spending the massive amount of money that will be wagered on the twelve races on the racecard, which last year topped R90 million, and the grand total attributable to this year’s Vodacom Durban July looks set to top R200 million for the first time.

During last year’s record breaking raceday R92,1 million was wagered on the Tote nationally, with R36,6 million being bet on the actual Vodacom Durban July nationally.

The winter season attracts over 1,3 million holiday makers to KwaZulu-Natal, 30 000 of whom are international visitors. Tourism KZN identified the Vodacom Durban July as one of the principle draw cards for this influx of visitors.

The Vodacom Durban July will be run at Greyville Racecourse on Saturday 5 July. Further information about the event can be found at www.vodacomdurbanjuly.co.za.

Nownownow finished last of five in the Irish Two Thousand Guineas (Ire-G1) on May 24 at the Curragh in his lone start for David Wachman, who took over the colt’s training while Patrick Biancone serves a one-year suspension for a violation in Kentucky.

Bred and raced by Fabien Ouaki’s Fab Oak Stable, Nownownow returned to the United States on June 17. Eleven days later, he breezed five furlongs in :58.20 on the synthetic track at Santa Anita Park.

Orman said the Whywhywhy colt would be considered for the Swaps Stakes (G2) on July 12 on the Cushion Track at Hollywood Park.

“We’ll see how he works next week,” said Orman, who is training six horses for Fab Oak. “He worked too fast here last week. He came out of the work good though so we’re going to let him work one more time and we’ll see.”

Nownownow scored by a half-length on yielding turf in the Juvenile Turf at Monmouth Park. His only other win in seven career starts came on turf in the With Anticipation Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. His finished second in a 4 1/2-furlong maiden race last April in his only start on a synthetic track.
(Source: Thoroughbred Times)

This evening Hamburg will stage one of the most telling trials for the Preis der Diana, the German Oaks, run at Dusseldorf on 3 August.

The eleven-furlong G.3 Grosser Preis der Jungheinrich Gabelstapler, formerly known simply as the Fährhofer Stutenpreis, has attracted a field of ten, with two runners representing Irish and French stables.

Racecard available here

If the G.2 Diana Trial at Cologne three weeks ago is a good indicator of ability then Splash Mountain, ¾-length runner-up to Baila Me, would top the field however this was her first placing from three career starts.

One length back was Goathemala, a filly who saw the track for the first time a month previously and who solidly beat her rivals. She looks to have a lot of ability.

Auentime won her maiden at the third attempt last year and after placing fourth in Listed company in May ran fourth in the Diana Trial and looks to be progressing.

Sixth on that occasion was Larella who, in spite of running second in a Listed as a juvenile, has shown little form from two runs this term.

A pair of fillies who have raced just once to date are Waldemar Hickst’s Salve Germania, an easy maiden winner last month, and Umirage from the Hans Blume yard who was equally impressive. While it is difficult to assess form based on these runs, both come from in-form stables.

The inclusion of Lady Marian is an interesting one. Werner Baltromei, who has taken to chasing better prizemoney in France, has done precisely that with this filly but from five starts over two seasons she has managed to place just once. She was not disgraced however when fifth to subsequent G.2 Prix Malleret winner Treat Gently at Longchamp in May.

Rounding off the domestic runners is Ashantee who was thought to have decent ability but despite one Listed place has never really produced the goods in decent company, but does come off a solid win at Strasbourg over 10½ furlongs.

Of the two foreign raiders Alex Pantall’s Yarastar looks the better of the pair. Previously trained by Kevin Prendergast for whom she won her maiden at Tipperary, she left Ireland after her two year-old season. Not out of the money from four starts she comes off a good Listed win and looks a threat. The only question mark remains whether she will get the extra furlong today.

Eamonn Tyrrell, who ran Impetious for fifth place in the G.3 Preis der Spielbank on Wednesday, saddles Flure De Leise, a good maiden winner at the end of May. She has since disappointed in two runs, most recently eighth in the Ulster Oaks at Down Royal.

The Diana Trial form is unlikely to run true this evening and a number of fillies will have come on in the meantime. Goathemala and Yarastar are a pair worth keeping in mind while the maiden winners Lady Marian and Umirage could indeed have Oaks potential.
RacingNewswire

The turf event, which is restricted to Ontario-foaled fillies, has attracted a field of seven.

The E.P. Taylor Turf Course may be all that the Mark Casse-trained Nite in Rome needs to return to the races running. In two career starts on the lawn, the Ontario-bred has one win and one runner-up finish.

The W.S. Farish charge debuted over the same surface last July, rallying from fourth to break her maiden by 1 3/4 lengths. She followed up the victory with a strong second-place finish to stablemate Clearly Foxy in the Natalma Stakes.

The daughter of Harlan’s Holiday may also have another intangible working in her favor on Sunday. She’ll be partnered for the first time by jockey Corey Fraser, who has a knack for winning this race.

Fraser first won the Ontario Damsel in 2004, aboard Bob Tiller-trained Velvet Snow.

“Velvet Snow was my first career stakes win,” recalled Fraser, who is going for his third win in the 6 1/2-furlong dash. “It was a small field and we beat Financingavailable - one of the few times she was beat.”

Fraser returned to the Ontario Damsel winner’s circle in 2005, guiding Top Ten List to a wire-to-wire score, also for Tiller and co-owner Frank DiGiulio. Last year, Fraser finished fourth aboard Pugilistic.

Fraser said he looks forward to teaming with Nite in Rome and taking a shot at the Ontario Damsel hat trick.

He would join Brian Swatuk, Robin Platts, Don Seymour, Robert Landry and Patrick Husbands as the only riders to capture the event on three occasions.

The Ontario Damsel is slated for race six on Sunday’s 10-race programme.

ONTARIO DAMSEL STAKES

POST - HORSE - JOCKEY - TRAINER

1 - Krz Exec - Jerry Baird - Michael DePaulo
2 - Shilla - David Clark - Nicholas Gonzalez
3 – Anne’s Purse - Eurico Rosa da Silva - Earl Barnett
4 - Gloriously - Patrick Husbands - Mark Casse
5 - Black Mink - Emile Ramsammy - Mike DePaulo
6 - Nite in Rome - Corey Fraser - Mark Casse
7 - Running Single - David Garcia - Pat Parente
(Source: Woodbine Entertainment)

However, several observers of the case said that under state laws, it would be several months, if at all, before the Seminoles would be required to remove those games and machines from their casinos in Broward County, Fla.

One possible resolution would have Crist obtaining the Florida legislature’s approval of the compact, perhaps in revised form, to make the Seminoles’ expanded games legal under Florida law.

The court, in a 6-0 opinion, ruled that “the governor does not have the constitutional authority to bind the state to a gaming compact that clearly departs from the state’s public policy by legalizing types of gaming that are illegal elsewhere in the state.”

Florida laws permit only Thoroughbred racetracks and other pari-mutuels in Broward and Miami-Dade counties to have Class III slot machines. Florida does not permit pari-mutuels or other entities to have blackjack and baccarat.

“This (ruling) definitely is helpful to us, but the Seminoles are still the 800-pound gorilla,” said Marc Dunbar, an attorney who represents Gulfstream Park and its parent company, Magna Entertainment Corp.

Gulfstream has Class III machines at its racetrack/casino in Hallandale Beach, Fla. Gulfstream is 10 miles from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, which on June 22 became the first Florida casino to have blackjack and baccarat.

Earlier this year, the Seminoles upgraded from Class II bingo-like machines to Class III machines at that casino and a casino in the Broward County town of Coconut Creek.

Calder Race Course in Miami Gardens, Fla., is considering the building of a casino. But parent company Churchill Downs Inc. has not announced a prospective starting date.

Crist and the Seminoles signed their compact Nov. 14, 2007, permitting the tribe to expand its gaming while agreeing for the first time to pay Florida a share of its gaming revenue. Without an agreement with the state, the Seminoles had authority under the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act to upgrade to Class III machines without making payments to Florida.

On Nov. 19, House Speaker Marco Rubio filed suit to void the compact. He asked the Supreme Court to rule that Crist had violated separation of powers laws and was permitting illegal expansion of gambling. Gulfstream filed an amicus brief to Rubio’s suit Nov. 28.

On July 3, the court did not rule on the separation of powers issue. But in addition to ruling that Crist granted the Seminoles an illegal expansion, it said state laws on gambling superseded federal tribal laws in the case. As of 3 p.m. EDT July 3, Crist had not issued a statement on the ruling.

Sole defendant Crist and the Seminoles, because of their direct relationship in the case, probably have until late August to file for a re-hearing from the court, said Dunbar, a partner in the Pennington Law Firm in Tallahassee, Fla. The normal deadline of 20 days will be extended because the court will be on recess from July 14-Aug. 15.

State Sen. Steve Geller told the Miami Herald that a federal court order would probably be needed to immediately force the Seminoles to shut down their Class III machines, blackjack, and baccarat. Geller, who is not seeking re-election, has sponsored several bills that would have permitted slot machines at all Florida pari-mutuels.

Dunbar said Gulfstream and other racetracks might consider seeking a court order or asking the Broward Sheriff’s Office to halt the Seminole games if they or Crist lose an appeal.

Gulfstream, harness track Isle Racing & Casino at Pompano Park, and Greyhound track Mardi Gras Race Track and Gaming pay a 50% state tax on net slot machine revenue. Under their compact, the Seminoles this year will pay the state $100 million. Indian Gaming Report, which monitors Tribal casinos, estimates that the Seminoles had more than $1 billion in gaming revenues in 2006.

The Seminole tribe blitzed South Florida television and radio stations with ads prior to its launch of blackjack. “They have been promoting themselves as ‘Florida’s only real casino,’ ” Dunbar said. “With blackjack, they were taking some of our slots and poker players. This ruling is a victory, and everything like this helps.”
(Source: The Blood-Horse)

Sent off at 1-10, Lawyer Ron made a late run but came up a neck short of catching Gottcha Gold. The favorite was beaten, and a new star was born in the division.

On Saturday, Gottcha Gold tops the Grade 3 Salvator at Monmouth Park, facing five rivals in the return to the race that put him on the map.

“We’re kind of in Lawyer Ron’s spot now,” said trainer Eddie Plesa Jr. “Everybody expected Lawyer Ron to win and he got beat. Everybody will probably be expecting us to win. Hopefully we’ll reverse last year’s trend.”

This year, the Salvator is a Breeders’ Cup Challenge Win and You’re In race, with the winner getting an automatic berth in the Dirt Mile at Santa Anita in October.

Following last year’s Salvator, Gottcha Gold also took the Grade 3 Iselin Handicap here in August before closing out the season with a game second in the rain-soaked Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Monmouth.

The 5-year-old Gottcha Gold is in fine form, winning the Grade 3 Skip Away Handicap at Gulfstream Park while missing by only a neck in the Grade 1 Pimlico Special.

“He’s doing as good as he’s ever done,” Plesa said. “I couldn’t feel any better about how he’s coming into the race.”

The major change will be in the saddle. Regular rider Chuckie Lopez, who was an excellent complement to Gottcha Gold’s abundant early speed, remains sidelined with a foot injury. That job now goes to Eddie Castro.

“It all boils down to how well Eddie gets along with this horse,” Plesa said. “I think he’ll get along with him fine. Eddie is smart. He’s looked at tapes of this horse, numerous races. He’s seen the horse’s likes and dislikes. He’ll pick up on all that.”

Gottcha Gold will renew his rivalry with Indy Wind, who finished third in last year’s Salvator and Iselin.

Indy Wind, 6, will be retired at the end of this year by owner-trainer Amy Tarrant. He has been hampered by injuries throughout his career, and Tarrant would love to see the horse capture a graded stakes before bowing out.

“I’ve had him since he was a baby, and I want a nice future for him as a stallion,” Tarrant said. “It’s very important that we do this before he gets retired.”

Stewart Elliott, aboard for Indy Wind’s dominant win in the Frisk Me Now Stakes here on June 7, has the return call.

Completing the field are Honest Man, Better Than Bonds, Notional, and Rathor.
(Source: ESPN)

The1 3/8-mile contest on Monmouth’s turf course takes on even greater importance as the Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” series goes into high gear at the Oceanport, New Jersey, track with the United Nations winner earning an automatic starting berth in the $3-million Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) on October 25 at Santa Anita Park.

Champs Elysees, winner last year of a Group 3 race in France and second in a Group 1 in Italy, has raced exclusively in California since arriving in the United States, winning the San Marcos Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park and finishing on the board in four of his five starts against Grade 1 and Grade 2 competition.

The five-year-old Danehill horse makes his East Coast debut after finishing sixth to Artiste Royal (Ire) in the Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap (G1) on June 7.

Patricia Generazio’s Presious Passion has never been to California but the five-year-old Royal Anthem gelding has done quite well in the East, earning wins in last year’s W. L. McKnight Handicap (G2) at Calder Race Course and the Cliff Hanger Stakes (G3) at the Meadowlands. He added this year’s Pan American Handicap (G3) at Gulfstream Park before finishing second in his most recent start in Monmouth’s Battlefield Stakes, a race that came off the turf and was run on a very sloppy track.

“He needed to race,” trainer Mary Hartmann said of her decision to run in the Battlefield. “If we wanted to make this race, he needed to run. I thought he did okay in the slop, especially since that was the first time he ever raced on an off track.

“And the best part is he didn’t hurt himself. He came out of the race great and he’s trained well since.”

Presious Passion, who prefers to race on the lead, set turf course records at Monmouth in 2006 at 1 1/16-miles and in 2007 at one-mile but the United Nations distance should not present a problem. His Pan American victory was at 1 ½-miles, and a victory Saturday would also have extra meaning for Hartmann.

“This is my first horse ever in a Grade 1 race, and it’s really exciting.”

The field, in post-position order, with (sire), jockey, weight, and trainer:

1. Champs Elysees [GB] (Danehill), Ramon A. Dominguez, 120, Robert J. Frankel;

2. Equitable (A.P. Indy), Kent J. Desormeaux, 118, William I. Mott;

3. Presious Passion (Royal Anthem), Eddie Castro, 118, Mary Hartmann;

4. Buddy’s Humor (Distorted Humor), Carlos H. Marquez, Jr., 118, Bruce N. Levine;

5. Independent George (Cozzene), Joe Bravo, 118, H. Graham Motion;

6. Sudan [IRE] (Peintre Celebre), Ramon A. Dominguez, 118, Robert J. Frankel;

7. Ra Der Dean (Rahy), A. R. Napravnik, 118, Edward Maher;

8. Strike a Deal (Smart Strike), Jose Lezcano, 118, Alan E. Goldberg; and

9. Crown Point (Honor Grades), Stewart Elliott, 118, David G. Donk.
(Source: Thoroughbred Times)

Although both horses are reported to be in fine shape, the pair want contrasting conditions.

Campanologist, the winner of the King Edward VII Stakes and the mount of Frankie Dettori, is suited by a quick surface.

Darryl Holland’s ride Literato, who took Newmarket’s Champion Stakes last season when he was trained in France, is best with cut in the ground.

“They are both in good form. Campanologist won very well last time at Royal Ascot and he likes good to firm ground, but Literato would prefer it soft,” said trainer Saeed bin Suroor.

“We are waiting for the weather forecast then we will decide, but I’m happy with both of them.”

Holland is hoping Literato can give him a third Eclipse triumph following victories aboard Compton Admiral (1999) and Falbrav (2003).

“He’s a very good horse and won the Champion Stakes. He’s always shown his best form with conditions underfoot. Hopefully, we’d like to see a bit of rain,” said the jockey.

“Obviously Frankie has the first choice so he has decided Campanologist is the better ride. But it’s nice to be put in the frame.

“It’s always a race I’ve done very well in. I’ve won the race twice and finished second on Warrsan. “It’s a good race for me and a good race to win.”

Ladbrokes have put their heads on the block, pushing Literato out to 9-1 from 7-1 while clipping Campanologist into 8-1 from 10s.

Their spokesman David Williams said: “The weather forecasts are having a huge bearing on the market. We’ve one eye on our liabilities and one eye on the skies.”

Coral cut Campanologist to 9-1 from 12-1, while the John Gosden-trained Pipedreamer has continued to attract support.

He was also shortened in the sponsors’ list to 9-2 from 5-1, having been cut from 11-2 on Thursday.

“Pipedreamer has been by far the best-backed horse over the last 24 hours but we are just starting to see a steady stream of very shrewd money for the Godolphin contender, Campanologist,” said Coral spokesman Simon Clare.

“This year’s Eclipse may lack a division leader but it promises to be one of the most competitive betting heats in the 33 years we have sponsored the race.”

Since 1976 the longest-priced favourite we have seen in the Eclipse has been Kooyonga at 7-2 in 1992 and it is not impossible that the on-course bookies could bet 4-1 the field come Saturday.

Henry Cecil is doubly represented with Phoenix Tower and Multidimensional among a field of nine declared for the Group One.

Both horses go the Esher track on the back of fine performances at Royal Ascot, where Phoenix Tower was second in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes and Multidimensional runner-up in the Hardwicke Stakes.

Phoenix Tower is another who would prefer a fast surface, according to connections.

“He came out of Ascot very well and Henry seems very pleased with him. This looks a really interesting opportunity,” said Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to owner Khalid Abdullah.

“He’s been a really solid horse. At Ascot we were fairly confident the 10 furlongs would not present a great problem to him.

“He would like good fast ground on Saturday and he certainly would not like it too soft,” Grimthorpe told At The Races.
(Source: Daily Mail)