Ward Anticipating Tough Task In Morny

Saturday, 17 August 2013 02:30

Wesley Ward believes No Nay Never has a much tougher test on his hands in Sunday's Prix Morny than he faced when he won at Royal Ascot.

The American speedster was an impressive victor in the Norfolk Stakes when many onlookers were struck by just how big he looked in the paddock compared to his British and Irish counterparts.

However, Ward feels his rivals will have had the chance to catch up physically in the two months since that outing and at this stage of the season the better two-year-olds are traditionally on show.

"He went over to Deauville last Thursday so he's had plenty of time to acclimatise," said Ward.

"Put it this way, he won't be beaten for fitness on Sunday.

"The thing is he'll be taking on some much nicer horses this weekend, the better horses come out later on in the year as it progresses.

"Before the race at Ascot, I couldn't see him getting beaten looking around the paddock, just his coat and everything - he looked the best. The competition will be stiffer in France."

Dwyer's India Ban Increased

Tuesday, 13 August 2013 02:30

English jockey Martin Dwyer has apparently had an eight-week suspension increased to eight months by Indian stewards although he is yet to hear from authorities.

Dwyer finished a close third on market leader Ice Age in division one of the Ice Magic Plate at Mahalaxmi racecourse in Mumbai on February 17, prompting an angry response from racegoers.

A head-on video of the race showed Ice Age appearing to drift towards the rail in the closing stages, bumping the eventual runner-up and causing Dwyer to snatch up his mount.

The RWITC stewards called an inquiry and announced the horse was to be deemed a non-starter, with all bets refunded.

Dwyer, who said he felt he did not have a fair hearing at the initial inquiry where he received the eight-week ban, returned to India in April for an appeal but found the matter being referred back to the stewards for further investigation.

"I've been told it has been taken up to seven months, but I have had no official notification through as it has only just happened," Dwyer said.

"I can't really comment much further, other than saying I will definitely be appealing.

"I am a bit confused at this stage, and either way it is not good news.

"All I can do now is wait for the official notification and see what the reasons are."

At the time, Dwyer suggested his mount was not moving correctly and suffered a nosebleed.

The original ban was due to run from April 6 to May 31 this year. The new dates are reported to be August 31 to April 30 next year.

A further appeal hearing scheduled for June was postponed.

Caulfield Cup Hope Stencive Injured

Friday, 16 August 2013 00:30

Caulfield Cup entrant Stencive has been injured and will not race for the rest of the season.

The William Haggas-trained Stencive was the pre-post favourite for next week's Ebor Handicap.

Stencive finished second in the Duke of Edinburgh Handicap at Royal Ascot and the John Smith's Cup at his past two starts.

While Haggas still has other strings to his bow for the big race at York, he is particularly disappointed for the owners as the four-year-old looked to have leading claims.

"It's a real pain that Stencive is injured," said Haggas.

"He's out for the season and I'm very disappointed for his owners as this had been the plan.

"I'll still have runners, but it's the owners I feel for."

Jakkalberry To Miss Melbourne Cup

Monday, 12 August 2013 23:45

Melbourne Cup placegetter Jakkalberry will not return to Australia this spring.

The Marco Botti-trained seven-year-old finished third in the 2012 Cup won by Green Moon but has been sidelined with a tendon injury since winning the Group Two City of Gold at Meydan in March.

Botti will now prepare him for another trip to Dubai early next year.

"He's back in exercise but we just feel we are running out of time," Botti said.

"I've spoken to the owners and we've decided to give the Melbourne Cup a miss. It's a long way and the time would be tight.

"The horse has done well in Dubai so we will head to the Carnival instead.

"There are a few races he could run in. Obviously there's the mile-and-a-half race (Sheema Classic) and the Dubai Gold Cup on World Cup night where he was supposed to run this year.

"We are spoilt for a choice for races for a stayer like him."

Afsare Lands Gold In Sovereign

Thursday, 15 August 2013 23:45

The Luca Cumani-trained Afsare has bounced back to form in style with a decisive win at Salisbury.

Afsare posted a career-best effort when second in the Arlington Million in the United States last year but two starts this term had yielded an unplaced run in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot and a second in Listed company at Sandown.

Switched back to a mile (1600m), the result never looked in doubt as Andrea Atzeni was sitting motionless in second place aboard the 9-4 favourite with two furlongs (400m) to run.

He drew his whip with around a furlong to go and quickly accounted for the front-running Boom And Bust, with Afsare pulling six lengths clear at the line.

Afsare had given trouble at the stalls before his Arlington run and refused to be loaded at Goodwood earlier this year.

He had expert stalls handler Gary Witheford on hand to help at Salisbury and Sara Cumani, wife of the trainer, revealed his problems at the start had precluded any repeat bid at Arlington this year.

"Luca has been longing to run him over a mile for a long time because he's got so much speed," Cumani said.

"He should have been at the Arlington Million this weekend but you can't take your own handler for the stalls so we had to find something else.

"He's the most frustrating horse we've ever had because he's got tremendous ability.

"I don't know what's left for him but we wouldn't be afraid to run him anywhere over a mile or a mile and a quarter."

Moonlight Cloud Magical In Marois

Monday, 12 August 2013 00:59

Moonlight Cloud has created history at Deauville with a mesmerising performance in the Prix Jacques le Marois.

Freddie Head's brilliant mare became the first horse to win the Normandy track's twin Group One highlights in the same year - just seven days after her record-breaking third triumph in the Prix Maurice de Gheest.

Moonlight Cloud's three-length advantage was eroded nearing the line by Olympic Glory, but in a desperate finish she held Frankie Dettori's mount by a short head.

The favourite Intello proved no match for the principals and under Olivier Peslier finished a length and three quarters back in third.

Head is now plotting a campaign of between one and three more races for his George Strawbridge-owned champion who came closer than any other horse to beating Black Caviar in last year's Diamond Jubilee Stakes.

"We'll see how she is. The plan has always been to bypass the Moulin and to run in the Foret on Arc day. After that it will be up to George Strawbridge," Head said.

"If we carry on Hong Kong could be in line, but although I love the Breeders' Cup the problem is that she ran very badly at Santa Anita last year and the meeting is at the same course.

"On the other hand if Mr Strawbridge wants to retire her on a high note that could happen after the Foret."

Dettori Gets Shea Shea Call-up

Wednesday, 14 August 2013 23:30

Frankie Dettori has been booked to ride pre-post favourite Shea Shea in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York on Friday week.

The Mike de Kock-trained six-year-old has been ridden by Christophe Soumillon at his past five starts, including when a narrow second in the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot and fourth in the July Cup at Newmarket.

However, Soumillon is banned on the day of the Nunthorpe, prompting De Kock to secure the services of Dettori following a meeting in Newmarket on Monday.

"Christophe Soumillon was due to take the ride as usual, but he picked up a suspension in France and failed on appeal," De Kock posted on his website.

"We're fortunate to have Frankie available to stand in."

Shea Shea has been based at Newmarket through the summer and De Kock reports him in top trim ahead of his Group One assignment.

"He's doing well, his coat looks good and he should be at his best for the race," he said.

"It's an easier five furlongs (1000m) than the one at Ascot where he was beaten late by Sole Power, so we're hoping it will suit him perfectly."

Dettori has won the Nunthorpe three times before, aboard Lochangel in 1998, So Factual in 1995 and the great Lochsong in 1993.

Deauville Second For Cirrus Des Aigles

Sunday, 11 August 2013 05:15

Trainer Corine Barande-Barbe remains confident Cirrus Des Aigles can still be a force in the Champion Stakes despite his third loss this year.

The winner of the Champion Stakes at Ascot in 2011 and second to Frankel last year, Cirrus Des Aigles suffered a ligament injury in the lead-up to the Hong Kong International Cup in December.

At the time he was the world's highest ranked horse in training following the retirement to stud of Frankel.

The seven-year-old finished a well-beaten fourth when sent off favourite for the King George And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot late last month and trainer Corine Barande-Barbe dropped him back to 10 furlongs (2000m) as she went in search of a first win this campaign.

He was also down in class in the Group Three Prix Gontaut-Biron, and although Cirrus Des Aigles had to settle for second to Petit Chevalier, his trainer remained upbeat.

"He's still progressing although of course I'm a little disappointed because I thought he would beat the other horse," Barande-Barbe said.

"It was quick ground and there was no pace on."

As to future engagements, Barande-Barbe appeared to be cooling on the idea of the Irish Champion Stakes.

"We chose to run here and we'll probably run in the Dollar and, between the two, we'll have to see," she said.

"There's Ireland, but the owner might not fancy that."

PJA Pledges To Support Martin Dwyer

Wednesday, 14 August 2013 02:59

Professional Jockeys Association chief executive Paul Struthers will ask British authorities not to reciprocate any ban given to Martin Dwyer by the Royal Western Indian Turf Club after his latest appeal has been heard.

The jockey was initially given a suspension of nearly two months earlier this year after he finished a close third on market leader Ice Age in a race at Mahalaxmi racecourse in Mumbai on February 17, prompting an angry response from racegoers.

A head-on video of the race showed Ice Age appearing to drift towards the rail in the closing stages, bumping the eventual runner-up and causing Dwyer to snatch up his mount.

The RWITC stewards called an inquiry and announced the horse was to be deemed a non-starter, with all bets refunded.

At the time, Dwyer suggested his mount was not moving correctly and suffered a nosebleed.

Dwyer contested the initial length of the ban with the result being it has been increased to eight months.

Dwyer says he intends to appeal.

"I was shocked enough, but nowhere near as shocked as Martin was," Struthers told At The Races.

"We've said all along in our view the video speaks for itself.

"He had his appeal and it was a very fair hearing and then it went back to the stewards.

"Martin heard yesterday afternoon that they've actually increased it to eight months. Staggering is not the word really.

"He's got a right of appeal for this hearing so he has to go through that process because in order for the British Horseracing Authority not to reciprocate the ban, he has to exhaust his options in India first.

"We've been aware of this situation since day one, so we are prepared and ready to make an application to the BHA not to reciprocate when that time arrives.

"We can advise a little bit to our members with regards to India, but we are far from experts on the Indian rules.

"We find it worrying that India do not sign up to all of the international agreement yet still expect the same levels of reciprocation that every other authority gets throughout the world."

Europe Claim Shergar Cup At Ascot

Sunday, 11 August 2013 00:15

Melbourne Cup winning jockey Gerald Mosse has guided the European team to an emphatic victory in the Shergar Cup at Ascot.

The hugely-experienced Frenchman and his compatriot Ioritz Mendizabal both had Mark Johnston to thank as the trainer provided them with a winner each in the four-sided jockey competition.

Mosse had also been involved the last time Europe were successful back in 2008 and picked up the Silver Saddle prize for top individual rider on both occasions.

"It was excellent," Mosse said. "It was a great atmosphere, the weather was good and everyone enjoyed it."

With points given to the first five home, the final standings were Europe on 91, Great Britain and Ireland on 61, Rest of the World 46 and the Girls on 40.

Europe had a virtually unassailable advantage by the fifth race, in which their light blue colours filled the first three spots home.

Johnston ran five in the Keltbray Shergar Cup Classic and was rewarded by a one-two-three, with Mosse doing the honours on Royal Skies (7-1) ahead of Bushel and Statutory.

"Ioritz rides for me when I have runners in France, although he is less known than some of the others, and I use Gerald as well, so of the foreign riders they would have been my first choices," Johnston said."

"I'll be honest, I come here for the prize-money as with only 10 runners a race I can't resist."

Kieren Fallon was given a four-day whip ban for his efforts on Bushel (August 24-27), but the Great Britain and Ireland captain had delivered one of two of his team's winners.

It was worse for New Zealander Lisa Allpress who received a seven-day whip ban (August 24-30).

Singapore champion Joao Moreira entered into the spirit of things as he punched the air with delight after winning the Barclays Shergar Cup Dash.