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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Racing Round-Up - Monday 11th September 2000
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Kevin Darley
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This is the area where the latest news, reviews, rumours and innuendo appear, including a little “noted in running” section of horses that may be worth backing next time out!
Jockeys championship - weekly update
Veteran jockey Pat Eddery is still behind in his quest to win a twelfth jockey's
championship with the gap now at 17.
Kevin Darley leads on 128, with Pat on
111, and Richard Quinn closing in on 110, at close of play on Monday 11th
September. Although Mr Darley is now a deserved odds on favourite, IF Henry
Cecil can get his horses fit and to the racecourse, Richard Quinn may still
have a major say in this year’s title and could potentially be worth
a small saver at sensible odds.
Gallop Reports:
Henry Cecil’s team (see above) is beginning to look as if they are coming to hand and I am quite convinced we will soon see an avalanche of winners – the only question mark is when? Wellbeing continues to look the part on the Newmarket gallops while Londonnet appears to be a filly of some potential if her homework is to be believed.
Further south at Arundel, good vibes continue about the recently well backed (but well beaten) Jinaan, while an unraced filly who is expected to win her maiden is the curiously named Agnes For Ransom.
Rumours, Facts, and Innuendo
Equine web-site Kickon are declining to comment on rumours in a Sunday tabloid that they are on the verge of liquidation. No sour grapes though from this quarter (despite being turned down for a job!) and hopefully they will survive – the Internet is certainly the future of a sport as up-to-the-minute as horse racing, though they could never compare with Sportlist (obviously)!
Meanwhile, column favourite and Champion jockey in the making Jamie Spencer is in trouble with the stewards and can be expected to feature soon in our Jockey news section! Having been suspended for fifteen days in the past twelve months, this new misdemeanour could well mean a lengthy ban once again.
Horses to Follow
Following last week’s debacle (Leozian, LAST on Saturday), I will choose my horses more carefully this week! Bogus Bonus is still worth looking out for, and is said by sources close to the yard to be the best of Sean Woods’ two year olds; no mean feat in the presence of the unbeaten Atlantic Prince. Ignore this daughter of Polish Precedent at your peril despite the lack of success for the majority of the owner’s other horses.
Sylvan Girl is still worth persevering with despite losing last week when the jockey failed to follow instructions to keep her covered up. She still features on a handy weight and may well run soon if the ground remains fast enough for her.
Jockey News
Alex Greaves (pictured) and Simon Whitworth are both suspended for the 15th and 16th of September, while championship hopefuls Richard Quinn (16th, 18th and 19th) and Pat Eddery (18th and 19th) will be off the scene, along with Jimmy Fortune (18th and 19th) is also suspended. Ray Cochrane is unlikely to be back this month through injury, while the latest date for Kieren Fallon is now January 2001!
Sad news
Racehorse owner and popular Coronation Street actor Bill Waddington (Percy Sugden) has passed way at the age of 84. An enthusiast, he owned Lucylastic and Swing North, the former winning four hurdle races under Diane Clay.
Causing trouble!
A new section this week sees your correspondent stick his nose in where it doesn’t belong to stir up the proverbial hornets nest in the world of racing! Today, I will attack the use of the whip – a subject close to many people’s hearts.
The simple answer must surely be to do away with the whip completely, leaving everyone involved on a level playing field. Racing would then be able to divert the attention of the animal rights people to other more serious problems in the world, while ensuring that the best jockey wins the Championship each year without any influence form the stewards decisions and associated suspensions (talking through my wallet yet again).
I am yet to hear a decent argument in favour of the whip with the exception of “history”, though if any readers feel otherwise, I will be more than happy to give their opinion an airing in this article – so send me an e-mail to sean@sportlist.com!
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