MARTEDÌ 19 AGOSTO 2014. York: dal 20 al 23 l’Ebor Festival con Australia nelle Juddmonte International e Taghrooda nelle Yorkshire Oaks..

Luce verde. Quella data da Aidan O’Brien sulla presenza di Australia (Galileo) alle Juddmonte International Stakes G1 di mercoledì pomeriggio a York, dove avrà inizio ufficialmente l’Ebor Meeting edizione 2014 oscurato dall’Italia ministeriale che non conosce vergogna. A questo punto una cosa è chiara: Le corse straniere non costituiscono un guadagno, altrimenti sarebbe danno erariale, ma sono solo un contorno alle corse italiane da mettere quando gli impiegati che si occupano di stilare i partenti sono in ufficio. Ma siccome l’Italia nel mese di Agosto si ferma, si ferma anche la diffusione e l’accettazione delle corse straniere perchè non c’è nessun addetto disponibile, ma sono tutti sotto l’ombrellone. Qualche giorno fa Equidia ha diffidato dalla diffusione anche in differita delle immagini, per quanto riguarda i canali inglesi ancora è possibile far vedere le differite.. ma per quanto? Di fatto l’Ebor Festival, a meno di clamorosi colpi di scena, non verrà mostrato. Ecco cosa ci perderemo o almeno si perderanno coloro i quali non hanno padronanza del mezzo internet: Ieri c’è stata la dichiarazione partenti ufficiale: Il campione da Galileo ed Ouija Board tornerà in pista ad 8 settimane rispetto il suo ultimo impegno in pista ed affronterà 5 avversari temibilissimi. C’era anche un dubbio riguardante la condizione di Australia reduce dall’affermazione semplice nel Derbu irlandese ma Padre Aidan ha rassicurato dicendo che c’è la possibilità non sia al massimo, come è normale per uno che punta ad obiettivi autunnali, ma ha rifinito bene ed avrà in sella Josh O’Brien che sembrava non dovesse rientrare nel peso ed invece ce la farà. Gli altri sono il vecchio Mukhadram (Shamardal), il secondo delle King GeorgeTelescope (Galileo) sul quale salirà Ryan Moore, per cui su The Grey Gatsby (Mastercraftsman) è stato ingaggiato Richard Hughes. Gli altri sono Arod (Teofilo), quarto nel Derby di Australia e poi convincente sottocategoria a Leicester dove ha vinto di 9, e Kingfisher(Galileo) che non sarà solo il gregario di Australia ma secondo O’Brien correrà con chance indipendente.

Nella giornata inaugurale dell’Ebor Festival ci sono anche le Great Voltigeur Stakes G2 dove da registrare c’è la rinuncia di Eagle Top(Pivotal), quarto nelle King George, che osserverà un periodo di break prima di essere riproposto in autunno per gli appuntamenti importanti come St Leger, Champion Stakes ed eventualmente Arc de Triomphe. Senza il cavallo di Lady Bamford ecco al via Kingston Hill(Mastercraftsman), con Ryan Moore anzichè Atzeni che sarà su Postponed (Dubawi), contro Snow Sky (Nayef).

Giovedì è il Ladies’ Day e soprattutto Lowther Stakes G2 con Anthem Alexander al via tra i nomi caldi, e poi le Yorkshire Oaks con la presenza prevista della incredibile Taghrooda (Sea The Stars), vincitrice delle King George.

Venerdì è il giorno delle Nunthorpe Stakes G1 sui 1000 secchi ed ecco di nuovo al via Sole Power (Kyllachy) carichissimo nel periodo. La Lonsdale Cup G2 per gli stayer vede al via, tra gli altri, ancora l’eroico Cavalryman (Halling). E poi c’è l’Ebor Handicap: L’heritage più antico, più bello e più incerto di tutta l’Inghilterra.

PUBBLICATO DA GABRIELE CANDI A MARTEDÌ, AGOSTO 19, 2014

Races

York Ebor Festival Races and Schedule 2014

The York Ebor Festival takes place over four days and hosts 24 races, including three at Group One level and of course it hosts the richest flat handicap in Europe, the Ebor Handicap. There are six races on each day, each starting at 1.55, the last race is at 4.55.

There has been a bit of a revamp of the meeting in recent years with the final day now taking place on Saturday, the Betfred Ebor is being moved to the weekend with a packed house expected on the Knavesmire. The big sprint race of the week the Nunthorpe Stakes is now being run on Friday while the key race on the first day is the top class International Stakes, while the Yorkshire Oaks takes centre stage on the second day of the meeting with the fillies getting the chance to shine.

Ebor Meeting Day One 2014

The first day of any Ebor Festival at York is always exciting as it offers a great week of action in the middle of the summer. The key race on day one is the International Stakes which has been won by horses like Sea The Stars and Rip Van Winkle over the past few seasons and it will be interesting to see who scores in 2014.

Ebor Meteting Day Two 2014

We get to see the fillies take centre stage on the second day of the Ebor Meeting and the race this season is looking particularly hot with a number of nice types set to take their chance. As well as the Oaks, there is also the Lowther Stakes for punters to get stuck into and it is good a chance to see some of the best two-year old fillies.

Ebor Meeting Day Three 2014

The third day of the Ebor Meeting is always an excellent one and that is the case this season with the Nunthorpe Stakes moved to Friday afternoon for the very first time. The Nunthorpe is one of the best races of the year for the sprinters, it is a great spectacle for fans on course as well as being one of the best betting races of the season.

Ebor Meeting Day Four 2014

The final day in the Knavesmire will see the Ebor Handicap itslef take centre stage, and it is sure to attract a bumper crowd to the course as well as being a big betting race in the ring and online.

fonte: Ebor M eeting

Kingston Hill

Kingston Hill: leads the market for Wednesday’s Great Voltigeur

PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Kingston Hill strong in Great Voltigeur market

BY TOM KERR7:47AM 20 AUG 2014

GREAT VOLTIGEUR market leader Kingston Hill was proving popular in early exchanges with the bookies on Wednesday morning, solidifying as clear favourite for the Neptune Investment Management-sponsored Group 2.

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The Derby second was trimmed by Betfair’s sportsbook and BetVictor (all 11-8 from 6-4) and several of the smaller firms, leaving him as short as 5-4 in places.

Speaking on Tuesday, Varian said of the three-year-old: “He’s in great form and has been training nicely. I’m very pleased with him and we’re looking forward to running him.

“He drops down to Group 2 company for the first time this year and we’re hoping he can return to winning ways.”

Kingston Hill has run just once since June’s Derby, finishing fourth in the Coral-Eclipse early last month. That race was won by Mukhadram, who takes on the Derby winner Australia in Wednesday’s feature race, the Juddmonte International.

The going at York before the opening fixture of the four-day Ebor meeting was given as good, good to firm in places after a mostly dry night (0.2mm rain). The forecast through Wednesday is for dry and sunny weather, before showers possibly move in overnight.

York Good, good to firm in places

Today’s key pointers

Nine of the last ten winners of the Acomb Stakes had won their latest start and eight had run no more than two times previously. Brian Meehan has won this twice since 2007 from only three runners and his Growl, who won his only previous start, looks a live contender. The colt’s sire, Oasis Dream, is 5-15 with his 2yo offspring at York in the last five seasons (+£11.50 to £1 level stakes.)

John Gosden has won the Great Voltigeur Stakes three times in the last seven years with Lucarno (2007), Centennial (2008) and Thought Worthy (2012.) Marzocco represents him this year at 3.05

Aidan O’Brien has won the Juddmonte International three times since 2008 with Duke of Marmalade (2008), Rip van Winkle (2010) and Declaration of War (2013). Derby winnerAustralia will be a warm order to enhance that good record at 3.40. Sea The Stars and Authorized also won this after landing the Epsom Derby in recent years.

Kevin Ryan is 11-34 with his 2yo runners over 6f at York in the last three seasons for a £1 level-stakes profit of £35.85.Teruntum Star and Uptight are his two entries in the nursery at 4.55.

Australia and Kingston Hill

Australia: a comfortable winner of the British and Irish Derbies

PICTURE: Getty Images

Australia faces toughest test yet in International

BY STUART RILEY6:03PM 19 AUG 2014

THE best horse Aidan O’Brien claims he has ever trained faces his sternest test as he lines up against a stellar field in the Juddmonte International at York on Wednesday.

By Derby-winning super sire Galileo, out of Oaks heroine and wondermare Ouija Board, Australia was bred to be the best and has not disappointed so far, finishing a close third in the 2,000 Guineas before routing his British and Irish Derby rivals.

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Yet in taking on his elders for the first time, over a distance shorter than he has been racing over and a trip already proven to be optimal for two of his Group 1-winning rivals, Australia has plenty of questions to answer, especially as his trainer has expressed concerns about his fitness following a short break.

“He’s a good bit heavier than he was for Epsom and the Curragh, and is really just ready to start back,” O’Brien said on Tuesday.

“We imagine he should come on a lot for the run, but he is in good form and all has gone well with him since he last ran. We’ve always thought that a mile and a quarter would suit him well.”

It will have to as it is certain to suit Mukhadram, winner of the Group 1 Coral-Eclipse over the same distance. Also in opposition is this year’s French Derby winner The Grey Gatsby, so impressive over the course and distance when landing the Dante in May.

Add to that Royal Ascot winner and King George runner-up Telescope and Australia faces three horses who have achieved more than the 19 he faced at Epsom and the Curragh. Wednesday’s field is completed by Arod and Kingfisher.

The fact Australia is the 4-6 favourite reflects the belief the bookmakers’ have in O’Brien star, while his son – jockey Joseph O’Brien – has starved his lanky frame down to the 8st 12lb necessary to take the ride, a weight he has not done for more than two years further reflecting the confidence within Ballydoyle.

The ground, described by clerk of the course William Derby as good, good to firm in places should not inconvenience any of the six runners with conditions expected to remain dry until late afternoon or early evening.

The exceptional Sea The Stars was the last three-year-old to win the International back in 2009. It was his daughter Taghrooda who produced a sparkling performance in the King George, at the expense of both Telescope and Mukhadram, to leap-frog Australia at the head of the Arc betting. The bar has been set, we are about to find out how high Australia can reach.

Taghrooda

Taghrooda: won the King George by three lengths

PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Gold: tactics will not get Taghrooda beaten

BY STUART RILEY1:40PM 19 AUG 2014

TAGHROODA will put her unbeaten record on the line in Thursday’s Darley Yorkshire Oaks and racing manager Angus Gold is confident that should the race turn into a tactical affair the Oaks and King George winner could make her own running.

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Taghrooda will face six rivals, including the Aidan O’Brien pair of Tapestry and Venus De Milo, as well as last year’s Oaks winner Talent.

Gold said: “I don’t think that it will be tactics that get her beat – she could do it from the front if necessary.”

The field for the 1m4f Group 1 is completed by Tasaday, Volume and Lustrous.

Gold, racing manager to the superstar filly’s owner Sheikh Hamdan, added: “Taghrooda is in good form and everyone is very happy with her. As we have already seen, she has got a great temperament, she settles well and stays well and if it came down to it, Paul could make the running himself.”

Taghrooda’s rider, Paul Hanagan, rode on Sunday for the first time since fracturing his arm at Goodwood last month and Gold welcomed the return of the two-time champion jockey.

“Paul has played a huge part in the team over the past three years, he is a very hard-working chap, and it will be great to get him back aboard. I spoke to him on Sunday evening and he said that he was feeling great.”

York wednesday 20 AUG 2014

GOING: GOOD (Good to firm in places; GoingStick: overall 6.8, home straight: far side 6.7, centre 6.8, stands’ side 6.6). (Showers)
STALLS: 5f & 6f – Stands’ side; 1m4f – Centre; Remainder – Inside

1:55

SYMPHONY GROUP STAKES (HANDICAP) (CLASS 2) (3yo+ 0-105) Winner £31,125 20 runners5f89y Good CH4

Race Conditions: £50,000 guaranteed For 3yo+ Rated 0-105 Weights highest weight not less than 9st 10lbMinimum weight 8-0 Penalties after August 9th, each race won 6lb Mass Rally’s Handicap Mark 105Entries 50 pay £ 250 Penalty value 1st £31,125.00 2nd £9,320.00 3rd £4,660.00 4th £2,330.00 5th£1,165.00 6th £585.00

NO. FORM	HORSE	AGE	WGT	TRAINER RTF%	JOCKEY	OR	TS	RPR
11760-964	Mass Rally hb	7	9-10	Michael Dods48	Paul Mulrennan	105	95	117
11760-964	98 Kheleyf (USA) — Reunion (IRE) (Be My Guest (USA))

219321620	Caspian Prince ht	5	9-9	Tony Carroll57	David Probert	104	106	112
219321620	19 Dylan Thomas (IRE) — Crystal Gaze (IRE) (Rainbow Quest (USA))

35742180	Ashpan Sam	5	9-9	John Spearing57	Ryan Moore	104	101	117
35742180	18 Firebreak — Sweet Patoopie (Indian Ridge)

4840612	Move In Time	6	9-8	David O´Meara47	Daniel Tudhope	103	85	118
4840612	11 Monsieur Bond (IRE) — Tibesti (Machiavellian (USA))

5112-7090	York Glory v1	6	9-8	Kevin Ryan55	Jamie Spencer	103	70	118
5112-7090	18 Five Star Day (USA) — Minicolony (USA) (Pleasant Colony (USA))

67773370	Monsieur Joe	7	9-8	Paul Midgley27	Tony Hamilton	103	110	117
67773370	19 Choisir (AUS) — Pascali (Compton Place)

71614321	Goldream p	5	9-7	Robert Cowell43	Andrea Atzeni	102	103	114
71614321	11 Oasis Dream — Clizia (IRE) (Machiavellian (USA))

84421135	Robot Boy	4	9-7	David Barron53	Graham Gibbons	102	109	117
84421135	24 Shamardal (USA) — Pivotal´s Princess (IRE) (Pivotal)

914508018	Racy p	7	9-6	Brian Ellison55	Paul Pickard	101	107	113
914508018	11 Medicean — Soar (Danzero (AUS))

1015530U10	Blaine b	4	9-5	Kevin Ryan55	Amy Ryan	100	96	117
1015530U10	18 Avonbridge — Lauren Louise (Tagula (IRE))

111281118	Line Of Reason	4	9-4	Paul Midgley27	Graham Lee	99	107	115
111281118	25 Kheleyf (USA) — Miss Party Line (USA) (Phone Trick (USA))

12685-000	Magical Macey b	7	9-2	David Barron53	Richard Hughes	97	83	116
12685-000	67 Rossini (USA) — Spring´s Glory (USA) (Honour And Glory (USA))

1318702091	Judge ´n Jury 6x t	10	9-2	Ronald Harris29	David Parkes7	97	97	115
1318702091	8 Pivotal — Cyclone Connie (Dr Devious (IRE))

14130-0003	Free Zone	5	9-0	Robert Cowell43	Jim Crowley	95	90	117
14130-0003	8 Kyllachy — Aldora (Magic Ring (IRE))

1512063177	Kimberella	4	9-0	David Nicholls47	Adrian Nicholls	95	107	116
1512063177	4 Kyllachy — Gleam Of Light (IRE) (Danehill (USA))

1630-0210	B Fifty Two tb	5	8-13	Charles Hills52	Frankie Dettori	94	102	116
1630-0210	39 Dark Angel (IRE) — Petite Maxine (Sharpo)

172024166	See The Sun	3	8-13	Tim Easterby42	David Allan	96	100	113
172024166	25 Assertive — Cocabana (Captain Rio)

18900-000	Bogart	5	8-13	Kevin Ryan55	Neil Callan	94	83	119
18900-000	25 Bahamian Bounty — Lauren Louise (Tagula (IRE))

192300330	Secret Witness v	8	8-11	Ronald Harris29	Luke Morris	92	106	117
192300330	4 Pivotal — It´s A Secret (Polish Precedent (USA))

2010915133	Peterkin	3	8-10	Mark Johnston67	Joe Fanning	93	102	113
2010915133	18 Invincible Spirit (IRE) — Alizes (NZ) (Rory´s Jester (AUS))

Betting forecast: 8/1 Move In Time, 8/1 Peterkin, 8/1 Robot Boy, 10/1 See The Sun, 12/1 Mass Rally, 14/1 Ashpan Sam, 14/1 Kimberella, 14/1 Line Of Reason, 16/1 Blaine, 16/1 Bogart, 16/1 Judge ´n Jury, 16/1 Racy, 16/1 York Glory, 20/1 B Fifty Two, 20/1 Magical Macey, 20/1 Secret Witness.