COUNTDOWN TO ST LEGER AT DONCASTER 11 SEPTEMBER 2010

REWILDING HEADS 16 GOING FORWARD FOR LADBROKES ST LEGER AT DONCASTER


Godolphin handler Mahmood Al Zarooni is looking to crown an excellent first season as a trainer with victory in the £500,000 Group One Ladbrokes St Leger with Rewilding, who heads 16 remaining entries for the world’s oldest Classic at Doncaster on Saturday, September 11, following the final scratchings deadline.



The Maktoum family’s racing operation boasts an enviable record in the season’s final Classic, staged over one and three quarter miles and 132 yards.





Godolphin enjoyed a fifth success in the Ladbrokes St Leger last year as the Saeed bin Suroor-trained Mastery got the better of stable companion Kite Wood in a thrilling finish.



The famous royal blue silks have also been carried to victory by Classic Cliche (1995), Nedawi (1998), Mutafaweq (1999) and Rule Of Law (2004).



Rewilding is the 7/4 favourite for the Ladbrokes St Leger with the race sponsor following a comprehensive four-length triumph in the leading trial for Doncaster, the Group Two Great Voltigeur Stakes at York on August 17.



The three-year-old Tiger Hill colt had previously stayed on to take third in the fourth of the five British Classics, the Group One Investec Derby at Epsom Downs in June, having previously made an impressive British debut in May when easily winning a Listed contest at Goodwood.



Group One German Derby hero Buzzword (25/1) and Vibrant Force (100/1), also trained by Al Zarooni, feature among those going forward for the Ladbrokes St Leger.



Al Zarooni commented: “Rewilding has been very well since the Great Voltigeur Stakes. The race didn’t take as much out of him compared to the Derby as he didn’t go to York fully wound up.



“The course at York suited him better than Epsom and Goodwood, where he didn’t look comfortable, and the strong pace also helped him.



“I think that he will enjoy the step up to an extended mile and three quarters because he is a light horse.



“We don’t do much with him at home and we pushed him too hard earlier in the season to get him ready for the Derby, which took a lot out of him. We know him better now and we know that we don’t have to be too hard on him. He has the class to run well





“Buzzword will probably not head to Doncaster and he could go to Turkey for the Bosphorus Cup a week earlier. He stayed a mile and a half well in the German Derby but I don’t think that he would get the extra distance of the Ladbrokes St Leger.



“We also have Vibrant Force but any decision regarding pacemakers will be taken nearer the time. Rewilding needs a good pace to be at his best but it looks like there may be one or two horses remaining who will set the gallop.



“I was lucky enough to be at Doncaster when Mastery and Kite Wood finished first and second last year and it was a great day for Godolphin. We love to have Classic winners and I am hopeful that Rewilding can add to our success in the race.”



Like Rewilding, Snow Fairy also enhanced her claims for the Ladbrokes St Leger with an excellent performance at York’s Ebor meeting as she went down by three lengths to Midday in the Group One Yorkshire Oaks.



The Ed Dunlop-trained filly, a 5/1 chance with Ladbrokes, has already tasted Classic glory in both the English and Irish Oaks this season and is bidding to become the first filly to win the Ladbrokes St Leger since User Friendly in 1992.



Aidan O’Brien, Ireland’s champion trainer, has landed the Ladbrokes St Leger on three occasions, thanks to Milan (2001), Brian Boru (2003) and Scorpion (2005).



The master of Ballydoyle is set to launch another strong challenge with his six remaining entries. Midas Touch (7/1) was second in the Irish Derby and filled the same position behind Rewilding at York, once place ahead of Group Two winner Joshua Tree (10/1).



The sextet of O’Brien entries also includes Cape Blanco (10/1), who got the better of Midas Touch in the Irish Derby and was second to Harbinger in the Group One King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, Navan maiden victor Flying Cross (33/1), Await The Dawn (50/1) and Bright Horizon (200/1).



James Given is bidding for a first Classic success with Dandino (7/1), who failed by a head to win the Group Three Gordon Stakes at Glorious Goodwood last month - a race that also featured third Arctic Cosmos (6/1), from the stable of John Gosden, the Mark Johnston-trained Corsica (fifth - 33/1) and Theology (sixth - 25/1), representing Jeremy Noseda. Gosden won the Ladbrokes St Leger with Shantou (1996) and Lucarno (2007), while Noseda triumphed with Sixties Icon (2006).



Mark Tompkins, who trains in Newmarket, has had the Ladbrokes St Leger in mind all season for Ted Spread (25/1), who scored in the Group Three Chester Vase in May and was fourth behind Rewilding at York. He won the Ladbrokes St Leger with Bob’s Return in 1993.



Total Command (33/1), third in the Group Three Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot in June, represents Sir Michael Stoute who won the Ladbrokes St Leger with Conduit in 2008.



The five-day confirmation stage for the Ladbrokes St Leger on Monday, September 6, is also the final chance for any horse to be supplemented, at a cost of £45,000.



The four-day Ladbrokes St Leger Festival runs from Wednesday, September 8 through Saturday, September 11 at Doncaster.



Ladbrokes St Leger - sponsor’s prices:

7/4 Rewilding, 5/1 Snow Fairy, 6/1 Arctic Cosmos, 7/1 Dandino, 7/1 Midas Touch, 10/1 Cape Blanco, 10/1 Joshua Tree, 25/1 Buzzword, 25/1 Ted Spread, 25/1 Theology, 22/1 Corsica, 33/1 Flying Cross, 33/1 Total Command, 50/1 Await The Dawn, 100/1 Vibrant Force, 200/1 Bright Horizon



Each-way a quarter the odds 1, 2, 3





THE LADBROKES ST LEGER

Class 1, Group 1, £500,000 Total Prize Fund. 3.05pm, Doncaster, Saturday, September 11, 2010. For 3yo only, entire colts and fillies. One mile, six furlongs & 132 yards. Weights: colts 9st; fillies 8st 11lb. Entries closed July 20, entries revealed July 21 (42 entries). Scratchings deadline noon, August 24 (16 remain), five-day confirmation & £45,000 supplementary entry stage Monday, September 6, final declaration stage 10am, Thursday, September 9. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Monday, August 23, 2010.



Form Horse Owner Trainer

(4)4-(1)3(1)23 ARCTIC COSMOS (USA) Rachel Hood & Robin Geffen John Gosden

10-1 AWAIT THE DAWN (USA) Michael Tabor & Sue Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE

(2)-511002 BRIGHT HORIZON Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith Aidan O’Brien IRE

5-04031 BUZZWORD Godolphin Mahmood Al Zarooni

111-1012 CAPE BLANCO (IRE) Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor Aidan O’Brien IRE

1(1)13415 CORSICA (IRE) Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Mark Johnston

02-11112 DANDINO Elite Racing Club James Given

41- FLYING CROSS (IRE) Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor Aidan O’Brien IRE

121-3 JOSHUA TREE (IRE) Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor Aidan O’Brien IRE

314-1522 MIDAS TOUCH Sue Magnier/Michael Tabor/David Smith/Denford Stud Aidan O’Brien IRE

21-2131 REWILDING Godolphin Mahmood Al Zarooni

430-1112 SNOW FAIRY (IRE) Anamoine Ltd Ed Dunlop

013-104 TED SPREAD False Nose 'n Glasses Partnership Mark Tompkins

30-4126 THEOLOGY Highclere Thoroughbred Racing Touchstone Jeremy Noseda

62-4130 TOTAL COMMAND Khalid Abdulla Sir Michael Stoute

262 VIBRANT FORCE (USA) Godolphin Mahmood Al Zarooni



16 entries remain after August 24 scratchings deadline

6 Irish-trained



THE FOLLOWING HORSES HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED: ADDRESS UNKNOWN, AL ZIR (USA), ANHAR (USA), AT FIRST SIGHT (IRE), BATTLEOFTRAFALGAR, DANCING DAVID (IRE), DREAMSPEED (IRE), DUBAWI PHANTOM, FENCING MASTER, HARRIS TWEED, HIBAAYEB, INTO WAIN (USA), LAYALI AL ANDALUS, MEEZNAH (USA), MISS JEAN BRODIE (USA), MOMKINZAIN (USA), MONTEREY (IRE), MONTEROSSO, MYPLACELATER, REBEL SOLDIER (IRE), SCOTTISH REEL (IRE), SIMON DE MONTFORT (IRE), ST NICHOLAS ABBEY (IRE), VERY GOOD DAY (FR), VULCANITE (IRE), WEDDING MARCH (IRE)






32 REMAIN ON COURSE FOR EDDIE STOBART GROUP PARK STAKES



This year’s £160,000 Group Two Eddie Stobart Group Park Stakes is set to be a cracking renewal with 32 horses going forward for the seven-furlong contest at Doncaster on Ladbrokes St Leger Day, Saturday, September 11, following the scratchings deadline.



A thrilling finish to last season’s race saw the Eddie Lynam-trained Duff record a neck verdict over Cat Junior, with a further head and neck separating third and fourth home, Arabian Gleam and Ouqba. All four horses could re-oppose on Town Moor.



A host of proven Group performers remaining includes Premio Loco, who followed up success in the Group Two Summer Mile at Ascot with a fine third behind Canford Cliffs and Rip Van Winkle in the Group One Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.



High Standing also took third in Group One company on his most recent appearance in the Prix Maurice de Gheest, while Prime Defender was fifth in the same Deauville contest prior to coming home fourth in the five-furlong Group One Nunthorpe Stakes at York last week.



Other notable contenders include Main Aim, who found only Fleeting Spirit a length and a quarter too strong in last year’s Group One Darley July Cup, last season’s Group Two Betfair Cup winner Finjaan, as well as Awzaan and Serious Attitude, who were both victorious in Group One company as juveniles.



Aidan O’Brien, Ireland’s champion trainer, may be represented by last year’s Group One Dewhurst Stakes victor Beethoven, who posted a comfortable Group Three success at Leopardstown on his latest appearance and Air Chief Marshal, who beat Duff in a Group Three at the Curragh last month



Further international spice is added by the Alain de Royer Dupre-trained pair of Group Three winner Dalghar, third in Goodwood’s Betfair Cup on his latest start, and Varenar, who claimed the notable scalp of Goldikova when triumphant in the Group One Prix de la Foret at Longchamp in October.





THE EDDIE STOBART GROUP PARK STAKES

Class 1, Group 2, £160,000 Total Prize Fund. 3.40pm Doncaster, Saturday, September 11, 2010. For three-year-olds and upwards, seven furlongs. Weights: three-year-old colts and geldings 9st, fillies 8st 11lb; four-year-old and up colts and geldings 9st 4lb, fillies 9st 1lb. Entries closed Tuesday, July 20, entries revealed Thursday, July 22 (53 entries). Scratchings deadline noon, August 24 (32 remain), five-day confirmation stage September 6, final declaration stage, 10.00am, Thursday, September 9. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Monday, August 23, 2010. May not include some overseas form.



Form Horse Age/Wgt Owner Trainer

1/3031-60 ARABIAN GLEAM 6-9-04 Saeed Suhail Jeremy Noseda

2105-005 BALTHAZAAR'S GIFT (IRE) 7-9-04 H E Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Clive Cox

5(5)(1)(0)4022 CAT JUNIOR (USA) 5-9-04 Roldvale Limited Brian Meehan

2/1(1)-2153 DALGHAR (FR) 4-9-04 H H Aga Khan Alain de Royer Dupre FR

0-425026 DUFF (IRE) 7-9-04 Kilboy Estate Edward Lynam IRE

03/010-000 FINJAAN 4-9-04 Hamdan Al Maktoum Marcus Tregoning

1-5(0)2053 FRAVASHI (AUS) 5-9-04 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor

5-0110136 HARRISON GEORGE (IRE) 5-9-04 P D Smith Holdings Ltd Richard Fahey

134-1023 HIGH STANDING (USA) 5-9-04 Tony Bloom William Haggas

(3)(4)-022234 HIMALYA (IRE) 4-9-04 Gillian Khosla Jeremy Noseda

(1)1-12301 MABAIT 4-9-04 Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum Luca Cumani

004-3104 MAIN AIM 5-9-04 Khalid Abdulla Sir Michael Stoute

642-2043 OUQBA 4-9-04 Hamdan Al Maktoum Barry Hills

100-53204 PALACE MOON 5-9-04 Canisbay Bloodstock William Knight

11-(5)0113 PREMIO LOCO (USA) 6-9-04 Bernard Westley Chris Wall

2(4)110054 PRIME DEFENDER 6-9-04 S Falle, M Franklin, J Sumsion Barry Hills

(1)(1)0362(2) SIROCCO BREEZE 5-9-04 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor

(1)-(1)(5)(3)32 SKYSURFERS 4-9-04 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor

(1)5-32315 ST MORITZ (IRE) 4-9-04 Renata Jacobs Mark Johnston

421-4060 VARENAR (FR) 4-9-04 H H Aga Khan Alain de Royer Dupre FR

3121030 ALVERTA (AUS) 7-9-01 John Messara, J Leaver & A Jones Paul Messara AUS

310-62525 GOLDEN STREAM (IRE) 4-9-01 The Queen Sir Michael Stoute

010-200 SERIOUS ATTITUDE (IRE) 4-9-01 Derek Willis & Rae Guest Rae Guest

4-040(1)10 AIR CHIEF MARSHAL (IRE) 3-9-00 Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith Aidan O’Brien IRE

2-(1)032 ALDOVRANDI (IRE) 3-9-00 Tenuta Dorna Di Montaltuzzo SRL Marco Botti

1111-0 AWZAAN 3-9-00 Hamdan Al Maktoum Mark Johnston

3461(6)-641 BEETHOVEN (IRE) 3-9-00 Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE

1314-002 POET'S VOICE 3-9-00 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor

3-1022205 RED JAZZ (USA) 3-9-00 Ronnie Arculli Barry Hills

116-1651 SHAKESPEAREAN (IRE) 3-9-00 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor

242-12141 YAA WAYL (IRE) 3-9-00 Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum Michael Jarvis

12135 RAINFALL (IRE) 3-9-00 Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Mark Johnston



THE FOLLOWING HORSES HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED: ARCANO (IRE), ASHRAM (IRE), BEACON LODGE (IRE), BORDER PATROL, DELEGATOR, EMPEROR CLAUDIUS (USA), FIELD OF DREAM, FORGOTTEN VOICE (IRE), ICELANDIC, KING OF DIXIE (USA), LADY OF THE DESERT (USA), LORD SHANAKILL (USA), LOVELACE, OASIS DANCER, PACO BOY (IRE), PUFF (IRE), RAKAAN (IRE), SEA LORD (IRE), SECRECY, SUMMER FETE (IRE), TREADWELL (IRE)



32 entries remain after August 24 scratchings deadline

3 Irish-trained

2 French-trained

1 Australian-trained





37 CHASING NEPTUNE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT CHAMPAGNE STAKES GLORY



Ladbrokes St Leger Day at Doncaster, Saturday, September 11, also features high-class two-year-old racing with the £100,000 Neptune Investment Champagne Stakes taking place.



The Group Two seven-furlong contest for juvenile colts and geldings has 37 entries going forward following the August 24 scratchings deadline, headed by the Richard Hannon-trained King Torus, who has already tasted Group Two glory twice in the Superlative Stakes at Newmarket and the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood. The same combination of owner Sir Robert Ogden and trainer Richard Hannon could also be represented by Casual Glimpse, bidding to bounce back from a disappointing run in the Gimcrack Stakes at York last week.



Formosina was behind King Torus at Newmarket in the Superlative Stakes but had previously landed the Group Two Ladbrokes.com Railway Stakes at the Curragh in June. His trainer Jeremy Noseda could also be represented by the well-touted Peter Martins, a hugely impressive winner on his debut at Newmarket last month.



Aidan O’Brien accounts for all nine of the Irish-trained entries still remaining including the Group Two-placed Samuel Morse, while other interesting entries going forward include the Michael Jarvis-trained duo of Roman Eagle, successful on his only start in a Sandown maiden, and Toolain, who looked a horse for the future following his victory in the Listed Winkfield Stakes at Ascot in July.



There is a £10,000 supplementary entry stage for the Neptune Investment Management Champagne Stakes at the five-day confirmation stage on Monday, September 6.







THE NEPTUNE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT CHAMPAGNE STAKES

Class 1, Group 2, £100,000 Total Prize Fund. 2pm, Doncaster, Saturday, September 11, 2010. For 2yo, colts & geldings, seven furlongs. Weights: 8st 12lb. Penalties: a winner of a Group 1 or Group 2 race 3lb. Entries closed Tuesday, July 20, entries revealed Thursday, July 22 (82 entries), scratchings deadline noon, August 24 (37 remain), five-day confirmation and £10,000 supplementary entry stage September 6, final declaration stage, 10.00am, Thursday, September 9. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Monday, August 23, 2010. May not include some overseas form.



Form Horse Age/Wgt Owner Trainer

3116 FORMOSINA (IRE) 2-9-01 Daniel Pittack Jeremy Noseda

1411 KING TORUS (IRE) 2-9-01 Sir Robert Ogden Richard Hannon

21 BELGIAN BILL 2-8-12 Mr & Mrs David Heath George Baker

0 CASTLEMORRIS KING 2-8-12 C O'Connell Michael Chapman

1510 CASUAL GLIMPSE 2-8-12 Sir Robert Ogden Richard Hannon

2125442 CHILWORTH LAD 2-8-12 7RUS Mick Channon

0241044 EMPEROR HADRIAN (IRE) 2-8-12 Sue Magnier,Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith Aidan O’Brien IRE

42 FACTUM (USA) 2-8-12 Joe Allen/Sue Magnier/Michael Tabor/Derrick Smith Aidan O’Brien IRE

4 FITYAAN 2-8-12 Hamdan Al Maktoum Barry Hills

4 HAPPY TODAY (USA) 2-8-12 Jaber Abdullah Brian Meehan

0124 HIGH RULER (USA) 2-8-12 Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE

KARAM ALBAARI (IRE)2-8-12 Fhad Al Harthi John Jenkins

614 LAKE ONTARIO (USA) 2-8-12 Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor Aidan O’Brien IRE

MANTOBA 2-8-12 Manton Racing Partnership Brian Meehan

MARDEN (IRE) 2-8-12 Sangster Families Brian Meehan

5221 MASTER OF HOUNDS (USA) 2-8-12 Sue Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE

414104 MEMEN (IRE) 2-8-12 Jared Sullivan Paul Cole

353 OCEAN BAY 2-8-12 Ocean Trailers Ltd John Ryan

0 PARK AVENUE (IRE) 2-8-12 Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE

0 PEARL ARCH (IRE) 2-8-12 Pearl Bloodstock Ltd Brian Meehan

1 PETER MARTINS (USA) 2-8-12 The Honorable Earle Mack Jeremy Noseda

213135 PREMIER CLARETS (IRE) 2-8-12 The Matthewman Partnership Richard Fahey

31 RODERIC O'CONNOR (IRE) 2-8-12 S Magnier/M Tabor/D Smith/Sangster Family Aidan O’Brien IRE

1 ROMAN EAGLE (IRE) 2-8-12 Alan Spence Michael Jarvis

4135 RUDOLF VALENTINO 2-8-12 Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor Aidan O’Brien IRE

1142253 SAMUEL MORSE (IRE) 2-8-12 Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE

156 SATIN LOVE (USA) 2-8-12 Crone Stud Farms Ltd Mark Johnston

0 SISINDU (IRE) 2-8-12 Brimacombe, McNally, Vinciguerra, Sangster Brian Meehan

51226 STENTORIAN (IRE) 2-8-12 Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Mark Johnston

00 THE BELLS O PEOVER 2-8-12 D & G Mercer Mark Johnston

314 THE LONG GAME 2-8-12 Sangster Families Brian Meehan

1 TITUS MILLS (IRE) 2-8-12 Sangster Family Brian Meehan

U(1)1 TOOLAIN (IRE) 2-8-12 Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum Michael Jarvis

6211 WAITER'S DREAM 2-8-12 R P Foden Brian Meehan

1155 WALTZ DARLING (IRE) 2-8-12 Mike Browne Richard Fahey

114 ZAIDAN (USA) 2-8-12 Saeed Manana Clive Brittain

ZAIN SHAMARDAL (IRE) 2-8-12 Jaber Abdullah Brian Meehan



37 entries remain after August 24 scratchings deadline

9 Irish-trained



THE FOLLOWING HORSES HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED: AERIAL ACCLAIM (IRE), ALEXANDER POPE (IRE), AMEN (IRE), ARGOCAT (IRE), BLOODSWEATANDTEARS, COMMENDED, CROWN PROSECUTOR (IRE), DAREJ (USA), DENY, DRAWING BOARD, DREAM ACHIEVED, DREAM AHEAD (USA), EASY TICKET (IRE), EBONY SONG (USA), EL MUQBIL (IRE), ELZAAM (AUS), ENJOY TODAY (USA), GARDE COTIERE (USA), GOLDEN HINDE, KOTA SAS (IRE), LAAJOOJ (IRE), LABARINTO, LAMASAAS (USA), LIBRANNO, LOOSE QUALITY (USA), MAJOR CONQUEST (IRE), MASHAAREF, MUNTASIB (USA), NATIVE KHAN (FR), NO HERETIC, ORACLE (IRE), OUTRIDER (IRE), PETRONIUS MAXIMUS (IRE), PRESIDENT LINCOLN (USA), RAAHIN (IRE), ROBIN HOOD (IRE), SHROPSHIRE (IRE), SOLE DANSER (IRE), STAR OF DANCE (IRE), STRATEGIC BID, TANJUNG AGAS (IRE), THE MONGOOSE, THE PADDYMAN (IRE), TOM SAWYER, ZOFFANY (IRE)



For more information, please contact:

Kate Hills

Director of Public Relations and Communications, Arena Leisure Racing

Tel: 01342 834800

Fax: 01342 835874

Mobile: 07813 947201

Email: kate.hills@arenaleisureplc.com


END