Page 30 - May 2007 The Game

30 The Game, May 2007 Canada’s Thoroughbred Racing Newspaper Outside The Borders - with Nigel Griffiths.
Hill ‘N’ Dale Canada - Foal Report 2007
Just Dreaming
When you’re walking past the west end of Barn 20 at Woodbine, you’ll notice a blackboard, upon which is usually a “joke of the day” or some “words of wisdom”.
On this particular day, groom Richard Bugros sketched the place of his dreams. He titled it “Just a Dream”, “It is somewhere peaceful and quiet.” said Richard who has been working with horses all of his life and is currently working for trainer Gord Colbourne.
Take a 29 year old trainer, yet to have a winner in his native Ireland, add a 26 year old owner, who buys a once useful 9yo gelding with his final bid at the sales and you have a story for the Grand National.
An unconsidered Silver Birch made it an unbelievable day for connections, when he took the prestigious Grand National, by 1/2 of a length from the strong finishing McKelvey.
With his C$48,900 investment, young owner Brian Walsh collected C$930,000 for this memorable victory.
It was ‘Christmas come early’ for the bookmakers. Turnover for the day was estimated at C$615 million and the first four National places were, 33/1, 12/1, 33/1 and 100/1.
The race following the National was delayed for 45 minutes and the final race abandoned due to the prone Graphic Approach, who had collapsed on the hurdles track. The horse had fallen earlier in the race and continued riderless, until crashing through the running rail banging his head in the process. The horse was treated for severe concussion and dehydration and due to veterinary advice was not moved. Graphic Approach survived and after a spell at the Royal Liverpool Veterinary College, was allowed home sporting a very black eye.
There was a major upheaval in the 2000 Guineas ante-post market, when it was announced that second favourite, Holy Roman Emperor (grandson of Franfreluche) was being immediately retired to replace enigmatic George Washington at stud. Meanwhile, the emphatic winner of the race last year has been put back into training at Ballydoyle. Aidan O’Brien said, "Since he came back here from Coolmore he's been like a horse with five legs and we have to get him thinking that he can't cover everything he sees. He's in an isolation yard here and I'd imagine we will start reintroducing him to other horses by degrees over the next week or two.”
The four times Group One winner has the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot in June as his target.
Down under, Aussie trainer Gai Waterhouse took the honours on the final day of the Easter Carnival at Randwick, notching three Group One wins in the afternoon.
Meurice took the 2yo Salinger Stakes (mile), Desert War a tough looking Big Pond QE Stakes over 10f and the treble was brought up by 5yo sprinter Bentley Biscuit in the Daily Telegraph Stakes over 7f. Bentley Biscuit now heads to England for the Royal Ascot meeting, hoping to emulate past Australian victories by Takeover Target and Choisir.
The loss of He’s No Pie Eater in a training accident, is expected to result in the largest insurance payout in history for an Australian horse. The winner of the 10f G1 Dubai Rosehill Guineas was put down after shattering a shoulder at Randwick recently.
On a brighter note, the former world champion sprinter Silent Witness, has now taken up residence at ‘Melbourne’s Living Legends’ for his retirement years. Here the 7yo joins notable stars Might And Power, Better Loosen Up, Doriemus and Fields Of Omagh. Silent Witness was sold as a yearling for C$52,000, then progressed to take 10 Group One races and bank over C$9.5 million for owners Arthur and Betty da Silva.
An appreciative Japanese audience witnessed racing history when the 12yo Karasi landed the 2m 5f Nakayama Grand Jump for the third year in succession. Originally trained in the UK by Sir Michael Stoute, this son of 1988 Derby winner Kahyasi won three on the bounce as a 3yo and was then sold for C$233,500 later in the year, to race in Australia. He acquitted himself well in Group One company, before later going on to a prolific career jumping.
brought him to challenge before the final fence where he wasn’t at all fluent. Galvanized by a power- packed ride, he quickly responded and was all out to hold off the challenge of Reward Present by 1/2 of a length to win the world’s richest jumps race and take his place in the record books.
The ante-post market was in turmoil mid-week, when rumours abounded concerning the well-being of the hot 2000 Guineas favourite Teofilo. His price fluctuated widely on the Exchanges between 6/4 and 10/1, until finally settling down with bookmakers at 5/2. News later came out from the Jim Bolger yard that the horse had had a minor setback, but was still on course for the first Classic of the season. This son of Galileo has done well over the winter and will be expected to target all the big middle distance races throughout the season.
He may not get everything his own way in the Guineas however. Adagio, trained by Sir Michael Stoute continued the trainers remarkable win ratio in the Craven Stakes at Newmarket. The son of Grand Lodge quickened nicely on meeting the rising ground and went on to win by a comfortable 1 1/2 lengths and now heads straight to the Guineas.
It wasn’t such good news for Peter Chapple-Hyam and 8/11favourite Dutch Art in the 7f Lane’s End Greenham Stakes. Unbeaten in all four starts as a 2yo, he is perceived by many to be a sprinter and that the mile will be just a trip too far. Chapple-Hyam believes it will be a different horse that lines up for the 2000 Guineas and similarities can be drawn between this preparation and that of his 1992 winner, Rodrigo De Triano, but will the result be the same? The market thinks not, as his price has now drifted out to 12/1.
While the guys were making and breaking their careers, the ladies were having their moment as well. Majestic Roi, a daughter of Street Cry came from well off the pace to pounce in the G3 Dubai Duty Free Stakes at Newbury, to stake her claim for the 1000 Guineas. Whether she is good enough remains to be seen, but it was an eye-catching performance here.
It’s difficult to know what to make of Sander Camillo’s run in the Nell Gwyn at Newmarket. She had been impressing on the Newmarket gallops in preparation for her seasonal debut and at 4/7, was strongly fancied to win this 1000 Guineas trial. Raced exclusively at 6f for her unbeaten 2yo campaign, she should have won this with relative ease, but found Scarlet Runner a neck too good at the line. She was subsequently found to have tied up, but there is still a concern for this big race market fancy.
One to watch for is the Criquette Head-Maarek trained Magic America, who is expected to make the trip over from France for the first fillies Classic of 2007 and although Aidan O’Brien has a number of entries, Theann, a daughter of Rock Of Gibraltar will probably be the stables representative.
Jim Bolger, trainer of the 1000 Guineas favourite, Finsceal Beo, reports her to be in good form and if her preparation remains on course, she should take all the beating in this fillies classic.
One to note for in the top class sprinting division this season is Dandy Man. Having taken over the licence from her father Con, who died in January, daughter Tracey sent out this exciting son of Mozart to win eased down in the 5f Listed Woodlands Stakes at Naas and he will be a tough nut to crack in Group races this summer in England and Ireland. Dylan Thomas confirmed his well-being by comfortably taking the 10f Listed Ascon Rohcon Stakes at the Curragh.
Settled midway off a fast pace, jockey Brett Scott
February 9, bay filly by Stormy Atlantic - Embraceable, booked to Roman Ruler
February 10, bay colt by Peaks N’ Valleys - Mood Swings, booked to Trajectory
February 11, chestnut colt by Vicar - Sudden Profit, booked to Medalist
February 11, bay colt by Stormy Atlantic - Clubay, booked to Bold Executive
February 17, chestnut filly by El Corredor - Lemon Dove, booked to Stormy Atlantic
February 19, bay colt by Stormy Atlantic - Silca Key Service, booked to Tale Of The Cat
February 21, grey filly by El Corredor - Steph’s Tee, booked to Mutakddim
February 23, bay colt by Vindication - Gram’s Beauty, booked to Roman Ruler
February 24, bay filly by Theatrical - Sideview, booked to Survivalist
February 25, bay filly by Afleet Alex - Nymphenburg, booked to Sky Mesa
March 1, chestnut filly by Bold Executive - Wiry Willie, booked to Roman Ruler
March 2, chestnut filly by El Corredor - Amelia Saratoga, booked to Mutakddim
March 3, bay filly by Stormy Atlantic - Bold Mist, booked to Mutakddim
March 3, bay filly by Stormy Atlantic - Sashaying Slew, booked to Lemon Drop Kid
March 6, bay filly by Saarland - Satohina,
booked to Pico Central
March 9, bay filly by Mutakddim - Genuine Emerald, booked to Bold Executive
March 10, bay filly by Roman Ruler - Water Music, booked back to Roman Ruler
March 12, bay filly by Distorted Humor - Handpainted, booked back to Distorted Humor
March 25, bay filly by Roman Ruler - Platinum Princess, booked to El Corredor
March 27, bay colt by Tomahawk - My Girl Nance, booked to Chapel Royale
March 27, bay colt by tormy Atlantic - Westside Sue, booked to Medalist
March 28, filly by Stormy Atlantic - Sayabec,
booked to Medalist
March 29, filly by Theatrical - Schonbrunn,
booked to Fusaichi Pegasus
March 31, colt by Roman Ruler - Playing Games, booked to Candy Ride
April 2, filly by Bold Executive - Strong And Steady, booked to Survivalist
April 5, filly by Roman Ruler - Raging Beauty,
booked to El Corredor
April 6, filly by Forest Camp - Ma Paloma,
booked to Sky Mesa