IT was good to see NIJOOM DUBAI back in full work as she strutted her stuff on the
summer ground this morning.
Led by STIR CRAZY, the Albany Stakes winner picked-up well at the end to grab PRETTY
MAJESTIC and indicate she is bang on course for the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes
at The Curragh on 2nd September.
The boss gave Nijoom Dubai a break after her Royal Ascot triumph over
You'resothrilling and is looking forward to what could be a rematch next month.
He said: "It's always good to see a filly like her come back so well after a short break
and it makes sense to head towards the Moyglare which gives us almost three more weeks.
"I've not ruled-out the Lowther Stakes but we have another candidate for York in
Nahoodh and she also delighted me this morning."
Nahoodh's work might not have been as exacting but you could only be impressed at the
way she glided past NYLLA and CANDLE SAHARA.
HUGH Bowman, who captains the Rest Of The World team in the Shergar Cup on Saturday,
has pledged to return to West Ilsley next spring.
The New South Wales-born rider has proved a hugely popular part of our team and at the
same time captured the admiration of the racing public in all corners of Britain.
Perhaps his best moment for the boss came with Hatta Fort's triumph in the Superlative
Stakes at Newmarket last month, while his spectacular christening on Alan Jarvis's Wise Dennis in
Ascot's Victoria Cup brought the 27-year-old to the attention of the media.
Recalling his best moments Hugh says: "It's nice to put an important race on the board and
that was a special day with Wise Dennis being backed-up by Yem Kinn for the boss.
"I feel it's taken me a while to find my feet and learn the ropes but i'm looking
forward to coming back next year. I shall ride at the Sydney Carnival in April and when
I return I feel I can do better."
Hugh found stark contrasts between our system and the one he knows so well in Oz and added: "The travelling
long distances each day got to me somewhat and affected my weight. That's
something i'll have to think carefully about next time.
"I shall be looking to travel the world and ride as many good horses as I can.
"My first two ambitions to win the Sydney apprentice title and ride a Group 1 winner
have been achieved. In fact i've had eight Group 1 successes and feel the best is ahead of me.
"I'm only 27 and most jockeys peak in their early thirties. I hope the next four to five years
will be very fruitful. I would love to win the Sydney jockeys title one day."
Hugh's distinctive riding style and engaging personality have combined to endear
him to many owners and trainers and will stand him in good stead when he comes back.
I personally admire his respectful approach with the whip. On several occasions he
showed that a horse can be eased home with gentle persuasion. Perhaps the best
example was on Atlantic Sport in an Ascot maiden where a blanket would have covered the first three.
He wasn't at all hard on the colt and that sympathy could help take Zafeen's half-brother all
the way to the top of the tree. That's what Mick, Hugh, and all the staff at the yard are
hoping for, anyway. Meanwhile let's wish The Man From Dunedoo the best of luck. He
deserves it.
The Owners' table sees what appears to be a walkover as George Blackwell has extended his lead to a daunting nine points. There's little more we can say about what's tucked in behind the leader, Andy Raymond being the best in pursuit, courtesy of Silver's Group Placing at Deauville last weekend.
The Top Five
George Blackwell 42 | Halicarnassus, Heywood, Siberian Tiger, Hatta Fort, Manalito |
Andy Raymond 33 | Silver Touch, Youmzain, Ba Speedbird, Missit, Silver Guest |
Darren Walker 28 | Halicarnassus, Majestic Roi, Ba Speedbird, Silca Destination, Silver Guest |
Alan Ball 28 | Halicarnassus, Youmzain, Aaim to Succeed, Silver Guest, Top Vision |
Nigel Bunter 24 | Youmzain, Man of Vision, Atlantic Sport, Siberian Tiger, 05 Red Ransom c ex Frustration |
I'm truly at a loss for words in terms of putting any sort of spin on those at the bottom of the owners table. There are no less than 17 of them yet to break into double figures (although only one of them has the "Hardingesque" ability to have harvested less than one point thus far. Tim Corby, Box 41's impressario deserves a special mention just because I'm feeling vindictive.
The Bottom Seventeen
Amy Jones | Kew The Music, Rescue, Better Hand, Dan Tucket, Dream Green |
Karen Baker | Ajigolo, Halicarnassus, Willit, Kiribati King, Atlantic Sport |
Tim Corby | Sweet Lilly, Silca Chiave, Silver Guest, Missit, Nawaaff |
Beryl Lowe & W.F. | Fiumicino, Indiannie Moon, Millie's Rock, Manalito, Silver Guest |
Dot Williamson (BA) | Capable Guest, So Sweet, Deer Daylami, Barraland, Silca Destination |
Eddie Aldridge | Silca Chiave, Silca Elegance, Silca Destination, Jennifer's Joy, Kiribati King |
Eileen Breslin | Royal Jet, Flashy Wings, Barraland, Banquet, Altantic Sport |
Gerald Blackwell | Lakshmi, Treat, Barraland, Kiribati King, Silca Destination |
Julia Aisibit (Caroline) | Heywood, Lunces Lad, Manalito, Nawaaff, Kashmina |
Mrs B. Warriner (BA) | Baddam, Flashy Wings, Millie's Rock, Silca Destination, Ba Speedbird |
Sue Drayton | Rocamadour, Massive, Ba Speedbird, Manalito, Flying Time |
Willis Frearson & BL | Laish Ya Hajar, Rescue, Dellini, Jennifer's Joy, Elzain |
Val Beech-Ball | South Cape, College Scholar, Mighty Alfred, Missit, Manalito |
Carmel Wardley | Silca Chiave, Silca Elegance, Silca Destination, Zabeel Tiger, Power Dream |
Terry Drayton | Go On Be A Tiger, Flashy Wings, Ba Speedbird, Atlantic Sport, Miillie's Rock |
James Repard | Silca Chiave, Go On Be A Tiger, Artistic License, Leading Edge, Better Hand |
Sarah Jones | Mango Music, Queen of Narnia, Dubai Land, Light Sea, Millie's Rock |
The Staff "Five to Follow" took a slightly depressing turn for the worse as Gill "The Till" profited from Silver Touch's pleasing performance in the Prix Maurice de Gheest and has opened up a gap of five points from Brazilian Pete and Dawn Carey down at Norman Court Stud. Grandma Bet has also suffered as Lord Ilsley continues his unspectacular but dogged pursuit of the leaders, whilst Tom O'Brien looms with a double handful (an unusual situation for him) in both 8th and 9th place.
The Top Ten
Gill Hedley 36 | Silver Touch, Youmzain, Atlantic Sport, Aaim to Storm, Kayflaa |
Peter 31 | Youmzain, Halicarnassus, Aaim to Storm, Atlantic Sport, Menadha |
Dawn Carey 31 | Halicarnassus, Silver Touch, Silver Guest, Top Vision, Legendary Guest |
Lord Ilsley 30 | Silver Touch, Youmzain, Mighty Alfred, Millie's Rock, Alfredtheordinary |
Bet Channon 29 | Sweet Lilly, Youmzain, Silver Guest, Thunder Bay, Missit |
Russell Brown 29 | Go On Be A Tiger, Grantley Adams, Hatta Fort, Natmana, Silver Guest |
Stanley 28 | Majestic Roi, Halicarnassus, Jennifer's Joy, Missit, Willit |
Tom O' Brien 28 | Youmzain, Halicarnassus, Menadha, Nahoodh, Green Wadi |
Tom O' Brien 27 | Treat, Silver Touch, Silver Guest, Aaim to Storm, Jennifer's Joy |
Caz 27 | Treat, Silver Touch, Menadha, Dan Tucket, Missit |
At the bottom end, it's business as usual as Susan Harding, despite being chief adminstrator of the competition, resists the temptation to cheat on the scores in order to haul herself out of the mire that is rock bottom. Patrick The Turtle is the form horse and Harding obviously realises that there's no chance of denying her reptile tenant his hard earned points, not now that the Latest News team have highlighted their enthralling tail-end tussle.
If nothing else, Sue deserved praise for her integrity which is probably the only thing going for her at present.
The Bottom Ten
Sarah Watkins 6 | Go On Be A Tiger, Lakshmi, Silca Destination, Legendary Guest, Atlantic Sport |
Sarah Watkins 3 | Go On Be A Tiger, Silca Chiave, Missit, Silver Guest, Kayflaa |
Joanne Green 3 | Flashy Wings, Silca Chiave, Silver Guest, Bahri Dubai, Top Vision |
Michael Cook 3 | Pretty Majestic, College Scholar, Jennifer's Joy, Bahri Dubai, Kayflaa |
Tracy Young 3 | College Scholar, Go On Be A Tiger, Atlantic Sport, Silca Destination, Mganga |
Mickey Sweet 3 | Silca Chiave, Digital, Wadi Raider, Kayflaa, Atlantic Sport |
Lesley Twigden 3 | Silca Chiave, Flashy Wings, Atlantic Sport, Look to the Star, Silca Destination |
Patrick the Turtle 3 | Go On Be A Tiger, Silca Chiave, Silca Destination, Legendary Guest, Missit |
Arthur Cawley 0 | Silca Chiave, Go On Be A Tiger, We're Delighted, Zabeel Tiger, Shatter Resistant |
Noel Reid (Farrier) 0 | Flashy Wings, Silca Chiave, Yassbog, Manalito, Candle Sahara |
Sue Harding 0 | Go On Be A Tiger, Lakshmi, Silca Destination, Missit, Kayflaa |
THE Blue Square Nassau Stakes looks the best race of what really has been a Glorious week at Goodwood and our own SWEET LILLY is not unfancied by Mick.
Although yet to win this year, she's run a couple of solid races at a high level when second to Passage Of Time in the Musidora Stakes at York and fifth to Simply Perfect in the Group 1 Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket.
Mick says: "I'm very pleased with Sweet Lilly. Everybody thinks i'm mad and she's got to step up to the mark against top fillies like Mandesha, Peeping Fawn and Light Shift, but I think she can. She requires a bit of luck with the way the race is run, and in the Falmouth they crawled, which contributed to her downfall."
GRANTLEY ADAMS flies the West Ilsley flag in the Bluesquare.com Stewards' Cup and must have a fine chance of getting into the money. However, the boss is unsure how the draw will pan out.
He added: "The warm weather is drying-out the ground which is a positive and he's in good form. We were the last one out of the hat at the draw and got the stall (10) nobody else wanted. If i'd been choosing i'd have gone high, but quite a few of the leading fancies are low."
Tadgh O'Shea partners SILVER TOUCH in her assault on the Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville.
The boss continues: "Tadgh gave her a great ride to win the Criterion Stakes at Newmarket. The filly is in good form and i'm looking forward to the race."
Patrick The Turtle has leapt ahead of his landlady Susan Harding and lifted himself off of the bottom of the Staff's "Five To Follow" league table (See Below). Legendary Guest obliged under Darryl Holland in the opening race at Redcar this afternoon to reward the ecstatic amphibian with his first points of the season, leaving basement dwelling Susan lost for words.
It is unclear if their house-sharing relationship will last after this development, but surely Patrick is a long way from being considered a "Legendary Guest" in the home of West Ilsley's Racing Secretary.
Mick was not too disappointed with MUTAWAAJID, who weakened out of contention in the Betfair Cup. He added: "He ran too free and couldn't get settled. You can't do that over seven furlongs at Goodwood and the run is best forgotten."
Perhaps the colt needs longer to properly acclimatize. His clock must still be askew, he is actually a three-year-old who is treated as a four-year-old because he was foaled in the southern hemisphere and he has a Group 2 penalty to shoulder. Maybe the best will be seen of him next season.
SILVER TOUCH is in tip top order for the Group 1 Prix Maurive De Gheest at Deauville on Sunday. The filly gave short shrift to MAJESTIC ROI and PRETTY MAJESTIC in her work on Tuesday and obviously confidence will be increased if there is some cut in the ground in France.
Mick continued: "She's been grand since her win in the Criterion Stakes and the plan is to run her at Deauville. We're keeping out fingers crossed the ground is on the easy side."
BOX 41's Tim Corby and your correspondent qualify for the 'most embarrassing moment' award following events during the six furlong maiden at Goodwood on Tuesday.
Having perused the field in the paddock Corby, Morrice and Joe Tuite deduced that this wasn't the greatest bunch of colts ever to put their heads through a bridle at the Glorious meeting.
So much so that they scurried to the rails to avail themselves of the 25-1 against Mick's debutant HOUSE, the mount of Hugh Bowman.
Morrice then bumped into Corby on the steps of the Sussex stand and the pair settled down to watch events unfurl. Corby acted as the commentator as Morrice had for a second time in quick succession left his glasses in the Press room.
'Bugger me that's Hugh coming to challenge', announced Corby as a horse with pink colours ranged up on the outside of the eventual winner. The pair then set about shrieking House's name only for the colt to finish an honourable second. But hold on a minute - Corby suddenly uttered those doom-laden words 'Neil I think we've been calling the wrong horse'.
Indeed. Our intrepid owner had mixed up the colours with Richard Hannon's Eastern Gift.
For the want of a good pair of binoculars Tim......
Alongside our staff competition, our owners competition is equally as competitive. Box 41's George Blackwell leads the way on an impressive 39 points with our "BA Boys" Darren Walker and Andy Raymond joining our great friend and the much missed Alan Ball in second on 28.
The Top Ten
George Blackwell 39 | Halicarnassus, Heywood, Siberian Tiger, Hatta Fort, Manalito |
Darren Walker 28 | Halicarnassus, Majestic Roi, Ba Speedbird, Silca Destination, Silver Guest |
Alan Ball 28 | Halicarnassus, Youmzain, Aaim to Succeed, Silver Guest, Top Vision |
Andy Raymond 28 | Silver Touch, Youmzain, Ba Speedbird, Missit, Silver Guest |
John Williams 23 | Baddam, Youmzain, Ba Speedbird, Aaim to Succeed, Jennifer's Joy |
Peter Taplin 22 | Halicarnassus, Majuro, Carleton, Barraland, Novas |
Nigel Bunter 21 | Youmzain, Man of Vision, Atlantic Sport, Siberian Tiger, 05 Red Ransom c ex Frustration |
Patrick Trant 19 | Halicarnassus, Majuro, Rio Taffeta, Carelton, 05 Hawk Wing f. |
Jon Aisbitt 18 | Treat, Youmzain, Banquet, Light Sea, Siberian Tiger |
Colin Baker 18 | Halicarnassus, Baddam, Narmeen, Silver Guest, Silca Destination |
There's everything to play for at the top but at the bottom, things aren't so rosy. Our owners are much admired and respected by everyone in the yard, it would be wrong to single out individuals or include their points tally.
The Bottom Ten
Eileen Breslin | Royal Jet, Flashy Wings, Barraland, Banquet, Altantic Sport |
Gerald Blackwell | Lakshmi, Treat, Barraland, Kiribati King, Silca Destination |
Mrs B. Warriner (BA) | Baddam, Flashy Wings, Millie's Rock, Silca Destination, Ba Speedbird |
Sue Drayton | Rocamadour, Massive, Ba Speedbird, Manalito, Flying Time |
Willis Frearson & BL | Laish Ya Hajar, Rescue, Dellini, Jennifer's Joy, Elzain |
Julia Aisibit (Caroline) | Heywood, Lunces Lad, Manalito, Nawaaff, Kashmina |
Val Beech-Ball | South Cape, College Scholar, Mighty Alfred, Missit, Manalito |
Carmel Wardley | Silca Chiave, Silca Elegance, Silca Destination, Zabeel Tiger, Power Dream |
Terry Drayton | Go On Be A Tiger, Flashy Wings, Ba Speedbird, Atlantic Sport, Miillie's Rock |
James Repard | Silca Chiave, Go On Be A Tiger, Artistic License, Leading Edge, Better Hand |
Sarah Jones | Mango Music, Queen of Narnia, Dubai Land, Light Sea, Millie's Rock |
Sarah is our only owner yet to score.
The annual West Ilsley "Five to Follow" competition has finally kicked into gear as the dry weather has led to a degree of consistency of our runners in the past week. The rules are simple - staff and owners select five horses for the year, two older horses and three two-year-olds and points are gained depending on their performances on the track.
Points System | |
Classic Winner | 50 Points |
Other Group 1 Winner | 30 Points |
Group 2 Winner | 20 Points |
Group 3 Winner | 10 Points |
Listed Winner | 5 Points |
Any other winner | 3 Points |
Group placed (2,3) | 5 Points |
Listed placed (2,3) | 3 Points |
Subsequently, the current top ten as it stands sees Youmzain's lad "Brazilian Peter" and Gill "The Till" Hedley share the lead with 31 points a piece whilst Grandma Bet Channon and Gallop Man and Owner Russel Brown are hot on their heels with 29. Youmzain has certainly played his part in the top ten, with no less than seven of the protagonists including the King George runner up in their selections, whilst Silver Touch and Atlantic Sport have also proved useful inclusions. Poised to pounce 6 points off the lead, Lord Ilsley still has the unraced Millie's Rock and the surely soon-to-score Alfredtheordinary within his armoury. Such astute selections merely add to his endless optimism of ultimate success.
The Top Ten
Peter 31 | Youmzain, Halicarnassus, Aaim to Storm, Atlantic Sport, Menadha |
Gill Hedley 31 | Silver Touch, Youmzain, Atlantic Sport, Aaim to Storm, Kayflaa |
Bet Channon 29 | Sweet Lilly, Youmzain, Silver Guest, Thunder Bay, Missit |
Russell Brown 29 | Go On Be A Tiger, Grantley Adams, Hatta Fort, Natmana, Silver Guest |
Stanley 28 | Majestic Roi, Halicarnassus, Jennifer's Joy, Missit, Willit |
Tom O' Brien 28 | Youmzain, Halicarnassus, Menadha, Nahoodh, Green Wadi |
Amy Routledge 25 | Treat, Halicarnassus, Menadha, Thunder Bay, Silver Guest |
Lord Ilsley 25 | Silver Touch, Youmzain, Might Alfred, Millie's Rock, Alfredtheordinary |
Lesley White 24 | Silca Chiave, Youmzain, Dan Tucket, Silca Destination, Silver Guest |
Marin Marinov 24 | Youmzain, Go On Be A Tiger, Yem Kinn, Aaim to Storm, Atlantic Sport |
Dawn Carey 23 | Halicarnassus, Silver Touch, Silver Guest, Top Vision, Legendary Guest |
At the dullard's end of the table, the stand out wooden spoon candidate is surely Racing Secretary Sue Harding. It's slightly disconcerting that the driving force behind our entries and one of the chief architects of our season long campaign has amassed the frankly pathetic tally of ZERO points.
It looks as though Susan's battle to avoid finishing rock bottom will see her lock horns with Patrick The Turtle which could lead to a hostile atmosphere in the Harding Household as the season reaches it's climax. The equally hapless amphibian resides with Susan in her Hampshire Home and it's currently unclear if the pair advised one another during the selection process.
As for the rest of them, just read it and weep.
The Bottom Ten
Joanne Green 3 | Flashy Wings, Silca Chiave, Silver Guest, Bahri Dubai, Top Vision |
Michael Cook 3 | Pretty Majestic, College Scholar, Jennifer's Joy, Bahri Dubai, Kayflaa |
Tracy Young 3 | College Scholar, Go On Be A Tiger, Atlantic Sport, Silca Destination, Mganga |
Steve Sweet 3 | Silca Chiave, Flashy Wings, Atlantic Sport, Millie's Rock, Legendary Guest |
Mickey Sweet 3 | Silca Chiave, Digital, Wadi Raider, Kayflaa, Atlantic Sport |
Lesley Twigden 3 | Silca Chiave, Flashy Wings, Atlantic Sport, Look to the Star, Silca Destination |
Sarah Watkins 3 | Go On Be A Tiger, Lakshmi, Silca Destination, Legendary Guest, Atlantic Sport |
Arthur Cawley 0 | Silca Chiave, Go On Be A Tiger, W'ere Delighted, Zabeel Tiger, Shatter Resistant |
Noel Reid (Farrier) 0 | Flashy Wings, Silca Chiave, Yassbog, Manalito, Candle Sahara |
Sue Harding 0 | Go On Be A Tiger, Lakshmi, Silca Destination, Missit, Kayflaa |
Patrick the Turtle 0 | Go On Be A Tiger, Silca Chiave, Silca Destination, Legendary Guest, Missit |
For the record, the boss is in 14th place on 21 points.