Doncaster welcomes return of crowds – but pilot scheme remains in the balance

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Racegoers began to arrive at Doncaster before racing on Wednesday – but for how long the pilot scheme continues remains up in the air.

A Government announcement is due at 4pm, when Prime Minister Boris Johnson will give a news briefing outlining the latest guidelines for sporting events following the change in policy which restricts social gatherings from a maximum of 30 people to just six.

An estimated 2,500 spectators were expected on Wednesday, with that figure gradually rising to around 6,000 for the Pertemps St Leger on Saturday.

A similar pilot scheme planned for the final day of Glorious Goodwood last month was called off the day before the meeting.

Hopes had been high the four days on Town Moor – the first day of crowds since the coronavirus shutdown in March – would signal the beginning of a gradual return to something like normality.

Doncaster has made several changes to accommodate the return of paying customers, with designated zones allocated to various groups, including annual members and owners.

The pilot holds huge significance, not just for racing but sport as a whole, with the industry hoping everything goes smoothly which would aid the return of crowds to all sports.

While the cancellation of the scheme, should it happen, would be a hammer blow again, it is key Wednesday’s event goes without a hitch.

The track is run by Arena Racing Company and their PR and communications manager Sam Cone said it was “business as usual” until they hear anything different.

“We can’t comment on what may or may not be announced later,” said Cone.

“It’s business as usual as far as we’re concerned, we’ve just got to continue as we are until we hear anything different from Government.”

Condon fillies ready for Moyglare date

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Ken Condon is planning to run both Teresa Mendoza and Thunder Beauty in the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday.

The pair came through their final piece of work with flying colours to give the County Kildare trainer high hopes for the Group One over seven furlongs for two-year-old fillies.

“Both of them will hopefully take their chance,” said Condon.

“They are two nice fillies, and I think the ground is drying up for the rest of the week, so it should be lovely racing ground.

“We are happy with both fillies. They worked (on Tuesday morning), and all seems fine, so we’re looking forward to it.”

Teresa Mendoza made a winning debut and was then second in the Group Three Round Tower Stakes at the Curragh on her only run since. Thunder Beauty made a winning debut over the same course in July.

Condon also reports Laws Of Indices to be bang on course for the Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes, after he also came through his exercise in good style.

“He seems very well,” he said.

“He did his last bit of routine work, and all went fine. I’m happy with him.”

Laws Of Indices sprang a 66-1 upset in the Group Two Railway Stakes at the Curragh, and then lost all chance with a slow start when a staying-on fourth in the Group One Phoenix Stakes over the same six furlongs last month.

Lowther Stakes winner Miss Amulet remains on target for the Cheveley Park at Newmarket, having been bought privately by Michael Tabor and partners since her York success.

“She’s on target for the Cheveley Park – that’s the next race for her,” said her trainer.

“All seems well since the Lowther. She’s training as normal. We’re happy with her – (so) that’s the plan.”

Princess Zoe is Galway star again

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Princess Zoe continued her remarkable rise up the ranks with a decisive fourth successive victory, on her first attempt at Listed company in the Ardilaun Hotel Oyster Stakes at Galway.

Tony Mullins’ hugely-improved mare was returning, after a five-week break, to the scene of her two Festival handicap victories in the space of six days.

The five-year-old took the rise in class entirely in her stride, overcoming a wide berth throughout to hit the front two furlongs out before stretching clear and maintaining her advantage to the line.

Princess Zoe again appeared to relish the testing conditions – and even through the poor visibility on a wet evening, the grey could be seen travelling ominously well in mid-division under Joey Sheridan behind pace-setting Ennistymon.

Once she was asked to quicken, the 2-1 favourite did so emphatically to win by a length and three-quarters from the staying-on Barrington Court – with this year’s Epsom Oaks runner-up Ennistymon having to settle for third, another half-length further back.

Princess Zoe had already risen 37lb in the ratings – from her opening mark of 64 when she joined Mullins from Stefan Richter in Germany at the start of this summer – and after this latest victory, her Gowran trainer confirmed ever higher-profile plans beckon.

“It’s a great relief to have that over, particularly to see her do it on heavy ground,” said Mullins.

“We would have had a sporadic good horse (in the past), but injury intervened with so many of them.

“This one has delivered every time – and it shows, though few and far between, that a small stable can compete at this level.”

As for the future, in the short term, the grand stages of Newmarket and ParisLongchamp are in the equation – with Cheltenham, and a switch to jumping to prepare for next year’s Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Festival, then on her owners’ minds.

Mullins added: “She’s owned by a great old friend in Paddy (Kehoe), with his sister Philomena (Crampton), and they are purely racing people – so other considerations don’t come into it.

“Cheltenham is still to the forefront of their minds, but in the shorter term we’ll have to have discussions as regards the Cesarewitch and the (Prix du) Cadran.

“Joey couldn’t use his allowance here, but his claim would negate a penalty in the Cesarewitch.”

Doncaster primed for crowd return as St Leger Festival opens

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Doncaster officials are well aware all eyes will be on them as the opening day of the Pertemps St Leger Festival welcomes the first paying crowd at any British meeting since March.

Since racing resumed after lockdown at Newcastle on June 1, it has been restricted first to essential staff and from early July onwards owners too.

Goodwood had hoped to stage the Saturday of the Glorious meeting in front of a crowd of 5000. But those plans were called off at the 11th hour as Government regulations were updated in the fight against coronavirus – and it has taken another six weeks for plans to be put in place for a pilot meeting to test out the return of spectators.

Doncaster is run by Arena Racing Company, and their racing division managing director Mark Spincer said: “There are nerves, absolutely.

“I think the team has done an amazing job, and we’re still finalising and tweaking things – and we’ll probably do that every day of the four.

“But we’re set, tickets have gone out – which are all advance sales, because we’re not doing walk-ups.”

Spincer acknowledges the stakes are high as the feasibility of racing crowds is put to the test on Wednesday.

He added: “Nobody needs to tell us how important this is – not only for Doncaster and Arena but for the industry and sport as a whole, the leisure sector and the hospitality industry need us to get this right.

“Arena have had the first day of racing’s return at Newcastle, and we had the first day of owners at Southwell – now we’ve got the pilot of racegoers returning.

“Despite all the space at Doncaster, because of social-distancing, we can only operate at 50 per cent capacity. Jockeys are in the exhibition hall because they need two metres between them; owners are in one of the restaurants – while the annual members are on the first floor, (so) there’s 800 of them spread out across seven bars.

“Hopefully it all goes smoothly.”

Romanised plans on hold after Paris disappointment

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Plans are on hold for Romanised after the Group One-winning miler put in a below-par display in the Prix du Moulin at ParisLongchamp.

Ken Condon’s five-year-old was slowly away and never figured in Sunday’s race, finishing last of six behind Persian King.

An initial routine check-up failed to come up with any reason for the uncharacteristically poor performance from the normally consistent son of Holy Roman Emperor, who was beaten only a nose in the Moulin 12 months earlier.

“For whatever reason he’s under-performed on Sunday – nothing has come to light,” said Condon.

“He’s had a clean bill of health from his usual attending vet yesterday. He cantered this morning, so it’s nothing obvious.”

Romanised will therefore be given time to recover.

“Obviously we were disappointed, and we are none the wiser,” added Condon.

“Maybe something will come to light in he next few days.

“I’m sure in the next few days the owner will say what he would like to do. We have no plans for the minute.

“He won’t be going for the QEII or races like the Foret after that. We’ll just sit tight for a while. It’s best to leave these things for a few days and see.”

Santiago to lead O’Brien trio in St Leger

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Santiago will lead a three-strong team for Aidan O’Brien in the Pertemps St Leger – with Tiger Moth set to head elsewhere.

Irish Derby winner Santiago is set to be joined at Doncaster on Saturday by Dawn Patrol and Mythical.

Tiger Moth, a fast-finishing second to Santiago in the Curragh Classic, has options at home this weekend – or could even join stablemate and Investec Derby winner Serpentine in the Grand Prix de Paris.

“We’re going to run three at Doncaster – Dawn Patrol, Mythical and Santiago – that’s the plan at the moment,” said O’Brien.

“Tiger Moth could either go to Leopardstown or Longchamp, the Grand Prix with Serpentine or the Kilternan (Paddy Power ‘Is It 2021 Yet?’ Stakes) at Leopardstown.”

O’Brien confirmed recently that Frankie Dettori is likely to be part of his team for the Classic once again – the two having teamed up for St Leger success in 2005 with Scorpion.

However, final riding plans are still to be confirmed – with William Buick, who had been mooted, likely to be in Ireland to ride Ghaiyyath at Leopardstown.

“We have Frankie booked, obviously, and I think Adam Kirby might be booked,” said O’Brien.

“But what happens is the horses will all have their tests in the next few days, and we’ll confirm everything after that.”

Ghaiyyath set to take Irish Champion chance

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Ghaiyyath has been confirmed an intended runner in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday.

Charlie Appleby’s five-year-old has carried all before him this season, winning the Coronation Cup, the Eclipse and the Juddmonte International at York – earning himself the moniker of the best turf horse on the planet.

He is due to gallop on Wednesday morning and should he come through that unscathed then Ghaiyyath will be on the plane to Ireland.

Speaking at lunchtime on Tuesday, Appleby, who has also left in Barney Roy, said: “Ghaiyyath will work tomorrow morning, we will have a final discussion then and if everyone is happy our intention is to fly to Dublin on Saturday morning.”

Ghaiyyath has been unstoppable this season
Ghaiyyath has been unstoppable this season (Mark Cranham/PA)

Aidan O’Brien’s Magical chased Ghaiyaath home at York and is one of six possibles for the Ballydoyle handler – also including Japan and Magic Wand.

John Gosden’s Lord North is still in the mix – as is Jean-Claude Rouget’s Sottsass, who won the Prix du Jockey Club last year.

The other Group One race on the first day of the Longines Irish Champions Weekend is the Coolmore America ‘Justify’ Matron Stakes .

Donnacha O’Brien’s Fancy Blue arguably sets the standard, having won the Prix de Diane and Nassau Stakes this summer already.

Aidan O’Brien has Irish Guineas winner Peaceful, subsequently a neck behind Fancy Blue in France, and Magic Wand in his team.

Fancy Blue claimed Group One glory in the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood
Fancy Blue claimed Group One glory in the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood (George Selwyn/PA)

Johnny Murtagh is another with multiple entries, with Champers Elysees and Know It All among the 13.

There are plenty of promising youngsters in the KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes, including Ger Lyons’ Ides Of August and Jim Bolger’s Jack Duggan.

Aidan O’Brien has four of the 19, with High Definition the only one who remains unbeaten. Joseph O’Brien has six in the mix, including Liffey River.

Simon and Ed Crisford’s Century Dream, John Quinn’s Safe Voyage and David O’Meara’s Escobar are the three British-trained raiders left in the Clipper Logistics Boomerang Mile.

Wichita, Vatican City, Ancient Spirit and Lancaster House are also in the 13.

Que Amoro back in Flying Five mix

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Last week’s change to the quarantine regulations for jockeys riding in Ireland has seen Que Amoro back in the frame for the Derrinstown Stud Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh.

The filly outran her odds in the Nunthorpe last time out, pushing Battaash all the way at York.

Michael Dods had originally ruled her out of Sunday’s race, because he wants to maintain the partnership she has built up with Paul Mulrennan – and until recently he would not have been able to ride her.

Que Amoro (left) pushed the mighty Battaash hard in the Nunthorpe at York
Que Amoro (left) pushed the mighty Battaash hard in the Nunthorpe at York (Alan Crowhurst/PA)

“We’re planning that we’re probably going to declare,” said the County Durham trainer.

“If they don’t get rain on Friday we’ll probably send her over on Saturday and let her take her chance.

“I spoke to the track this morning, and they had rain yesterday but they are expecting it to be dry until Friday.”

Dods is mindful that Que Amoro may have to adapt to conditions.

“It’s a Group One, so it’s a hot race, but from our point of view the faster the ground the better,” he added.

“She might have to run on slightly easier ground than she’d prefer – but we may have to take that chance, with it being a Group One.

“We’d sort of decided not to go – but now jockeys can go and ride in a Group One, it changed our thinking.

“There is the Newbury race on Ayr Gold Cup day she could run in – but we’d be weather-watching before that, looking for fast ground.

Make A Challenge is another big-hitter on course for the Flying Five
Make A Challenge is another big-hitter on course for the Flying Five (Niall Carson/PA)

“It’s not great – the whole world is in turmoil – but at least we’re racing. It’s just a shame the owners can’t go.”

There are 17 possibles for the Flying Five – with Make A Challenge, A ‘Ali, Lope Y Fernandez and Glass Slippers among the other main contenders.

A maximum field of 18 is possible in the Moyglare Stud Stakes, one of three further Group Ones on the stellar card, with the Ken Condon pair of Teresa Mendoza and Thunder Beauty perhaps set to continue the handler’s great season.

Aidan O’Brien’s Battleground could clash with Charlie Appleby’s Master Of The Seas in the Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes.

Master Of The Seas may put his unbeaten record on the line at the Curragh
Master Of The Seas may put his unbeaten record on the line at the Curragh (Edward Whitaker/PA)

Battleground has won at Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood already, while the unbeaten Godolphin youngster was hugely impressive at Newmarket.

Roger Varian’s Ebor winner Fujaira Prince could step up in class for the Comer Group International Irish St Leger.

Nayef Road and Galileo Chrome, who both still have the option of heading to Doncaster this week, are also among 17 possibles.

Ghaiyyath among 13 still in Irish Champion Stakes

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Ghaiyyath is one of 13 possibles at the confirmation stage for the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.

Charlie Appleby’s five-year-old has carried all before him this season, winning the Coronation Cup, the Eclipse and the Juddmonte International at York – earning himself the moniker of the best turf horse on the planet.

A final decision on his participation on Saturday has still to be made, but he would be a firm favourite should he line up.

Appleby has also left in Barney Roy.

Aidan O’Brien’s Magical chased Ghaiyaath home at York and is one of six possibles for the Ballydoyle handler – also including Japan and Magic Wand.

John Gosden’s Lord North is still in the mix – as is Jean-Claude Rouget’s Sottsass, who won the Prix du Jockey Club last year.

The other Group One race on the first day of the Longines Irish Champions Weekend is the Coolmore America ‘Justify’ Matron Stakes .

Donnacha O’Brien’s Fancy Blue arguably sets the standard, having won the Prix de Diane and Nassau Stakes this summer already.

Aidan O’Brien has Irish Guineas winner Peaceful, subsequently a neck behind Fancy Blue in France, and Magic Wand in his team.

Johnny Murtagh is another with multiple entries, with Champers Elysees and Know It All among the 13.

There are plenty of promising youngsters in the KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes, including Ger Lyons’ Ides Of August and Jim Bolger’s Jack Duggan.

Aidan O’Brien has four of the 19, with High Definition the only one who remains unbeaten. Joseph O’Brien has six in the mix, including Liffey River.

Simon and Ed Crisford’s Century Dream, John Quinn’s Safe Voyage and David O’Meara’s Escobar are the three British-trained raiders left in the Clipper Logistics Boomerang Mile.

Wichita, Vatican City, Ancient Spirit and Lancaster House are also among the 13.

Stormy Girl in good shape for Sceptre challenge

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Stormy Girl broke new ground for Rebecca Menzies when providing the dual-purpose trainer with a first Listed win recently and the filly now steps up to Group Three class in the bet365 Sceptre Fillies’ Stakes at Doncaster.

Bar a disappointing run at York in July, the daughter of Night Of Thunder has been consistent since joining Menzies from David Loughnane.

Before her impressive win at Pontefract last time out, she had gone close behind classy types such as Liberty Beach and Under The Stars, but she is stepping back up in trip on Town Moor.

“Obviously she’s stepping up in class, but she’s every right to be there as she won quite easily at Pontefract,” said Menzies.

“On her first two starts for me at Haydock this year she ran really well, including over seven on one of those.

“The ground drying out wouldn’t worry me – she is very versatile – and hopefully she’s good enough to be placed at least.

“The Listed seven-furlong race she ran in at Haydock was a very good one for the grade, so I think she’s up to it.

“She’s had a good prep between Pontefract and now, she’s had a really clear run and is going there in good form. The rest of our horses continue to run well, too, so you’d have to be hopeful of a good run.”

Richard Hannon’s 1000 Guineas runner-up Cloak Of Spirits arguably sets the standard, while the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Jubiloso needs to put a disappointing effort at Royal Ascot behind her.

Mubtasimah, Althiqa and Onassis are others who bring a strong level of form to the table.

There is also a high-class renewal of the bet365 Scarbrough Stakes on the card, with Dakota Gold and Nunthorpe third Moss Gill carrying 10st 2lb due to the presence of the juvenile fillies Acklam Express and Country Carnival.

Dakota Gold returned to winning ways in the Beverley Bullet last month and finished second to Starman at York on Sunday.

“It was just while we had his suitable ground we thought we’d go again and hopefully it doesn’t dry up too much,” said Dods.

“Obviously it comes quick after York, but he seems well. Unfortunately the two-year-old fillies were declared so the weights went up at declaration, which I don’t really agree with as we thought we’d be carrying 10st.

“He’s well, James Bethell’s horse (Moss Gill) will obviously be tough to beat after his run in the Nunthorpe, but hopefully he puts up a good performance.

“He’s run back quickly before when he won the Great St Wilfrid and then won at York a few days after, but they were handicaps and now he’s in Listed company.

“We just thought at this stage of the season – and it’s been such a strange season – we should give him the chance again.”

Makanah, Tarboosh and Johnny Murtagh’s Urban Beat are others in the reckoning.