Friday 15 September 2000
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| 14:00-16:00 |
| Racing from Newbury |
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Richard Pitman and Willie Carson introduce four races from today's card. With commentary from Jim McGrath, Jimmy Lindley and Graham Rock. Races at 14:10; 14:40; 15:10; 15:40.
Saturday 16 September 2000
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| 13:50-14:10 |
| Racing from Newbury |
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14:00 Tote Sporting Index Autumn Cup. With commentary from Jim McGrath, Willie Carson, Richard Pitman and Angus Loughran.
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| 14:55-15:15 |
| Racing from Newbury |
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Live coverage of the 15:05 Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes.
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| 15:35-15:50 |
| Racing from Newbury |
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15:40 Courage Best Stakes.
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Newbury
Racecourse: Guide
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Newbury
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Down
in deepest Berkshire lies Newbury racecourse, a Grade One course and one of
my personal favourites, due to it’s ease of access, friendly staff, and
pleasant outlook.
Historically, Newbury is not one of the “ancient” courses, but was
the idea of local trainer John Porter who went to the Jockey Club after purchasing
some land from Mr Lloyd Baxendale, (the Mayor of Greenham) in 1903. Despite
being turned down by the Jockey Club, racing folk lore decrees that he ran
in to his friend and race horse owner Edward VII, who brought his not inconsiderable
influence to bear and thus Newbury Racecourse was born in 1905.
To this day,
the John Porter Stakes and The Greenham Stakes, (under the various guises
of their sponsors through the years), are two of the most anticipated races
of the British calendar, the latter a recognised 2000 Guineas trial won
by some decent sorts in the past, but perhaps a fading glory in the new
pattern which sees horses saved for the big races later in the season.
Physically, the course itself is best described as a left handed
oval of about a mile and seven furlongs, with a run-in of nearly seven furlongs,
though there is also a straight mile course which has it’s ups and
downs. Often described as a galloping track, the fairness of the Newbury
course is often given as a reason for the high quality of horse flesh on
show, and with other class races such as the Horris Hill, the St Simon Stakes,
the Lockinge Stakes and the Mill Reef Stakes, Newbury is a feast for the
flat racing enthusiast.
Unfortunately, with regard to winner finding, the draw is a little
confusing with high numbers having the advantage when the stalls are in
the middle or on the stand side, though on the round course, low numbers
can have the call.
Trainers worth following include John Gosden (23% winners 1995-1999),
Luca Cumani (22%) and Henry Cecil (20%), while any shortlist of jockeys
would have to include course specialists Frankie Dettori (18% winners 1995-1999),
Richard Quinn (14%) and John Reid (also 14%).
Naturally, we’ll be analysing and predicting each and every
televised race for the rest of this season, so watch this space for winners
galore!
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