Thursday, September 2, 2010

Sports World

---

Cosmos set to illuminate Leger scene Posted: 02 Sep 2010 02:02 AM PDT Master trainer John Gosden knows just what is needed to win the final Classic of the British racing season, the St Leger, having already won the race twice with Shantou in 1996 and in 2007 with Lucarno. The vibe emanating from the Gosden team is that their Arctic Cosmos is a horse to be taken very seriously indeed at Doncaster, writes Elliot Slater. Gosden has been enjoying another good season, but the amazing last-gasp success of the yard's Debussy in last weekend's Arlington Million in Chicago, must have put a further spring in the step of all the team at the Newmarket handler's stables. Gosden spoke candidly to At The Races about Arctic Cosmos' chance of upsetting likely hot favourite Rewilding at Town Moor, and whilst respecting the chance of the Godolphin-trained winner of the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York's Ebor meeting, he rightly pointed out that you should "never be afraid of one horse". Arctic Cosmos has been tremendously progressive this term and has improved out of all recognition since landing his maiden on the Polytrack at Wolverhampton in April. After winning a handicap (also on Polytrack) at Kempton in June, he then ran out of his skin to step up markedly in class and vindicate his trainer's judgement by finishing a tremendous second to Monterosso in the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot. Despite appearing ill-at-ease at Goodwood in the Gordon Stakes on his most recent outing, there was no doubting the purpose with which the son of North Light finished to be a staying-on third to Rebel Soldier, his performance suggesting that the extra quarter mile at Doncaster on a conventional track should suit him down to the ground. At a best priced 8/1 with some horse racing tips, Arctic Cosmos represents a very solid each-way investment in a race that is building up to be one of the best renewals for some years.

2011 Guineas favourite Memory faces Moyglare test Posted: 02 Sep 2010 01:59 AM PDT With the British summer trying desperately to stage a late rally (!) it seems a long time in the future to next year's 1000 Guineas at Newmarket, but that is exactly the race that will be at the forefront of the minds of punters and betting firms when Richard Hannon's unbeaten filly Memory bids to land the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday, writes Elliot Slater. The Highclere Thoroughbred Racing-owned daughter of Danehill Dancer has been the outstanding juvenile filly of this season, following up her win on debut at Goodwood with a head defeat of classy Margot Did in the Group 3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot, before landing the Group 2 Cherry Hinton Stakes at Newmarket's July meeting, quickening readily to defeat the smart Soraaya by three-quarters-of-a-length. A seven week break should have done Memory the world of good and connections are more than optimistic that she will justify her expected odds-on position in the market for the Irish event and further enhance her credentials ahead of next year's first fillies' Classic on the Rowley Mile. Currently offered at just 6/1 favourite to win the 2011 1000 Guineas, any slip from Hannon's filly will doubtless result in a major shake-up of the ante-post market for the race. At the five-day declaration stage there was a significant supplemented runner in the shape of the Jessica Harrington-trained Laughing Lashes, winner of the Group 2 Debutante Stales over course and distance earlier in the month, and stable companion of recent impressive Futurity Stakes winner Pathfork. Her addition to the field at a cost of over 23,000 euros suggests that connections expect her to give Memory plenty to think about as Hannon's filly races over seven furlongs for the first time. Of Aidan O'Brien's six entries, his Misty For Me, runner-up to Laughing Lashes last time out, appears the most likely danger amongst irish horse racing tips to the anticipated market leaders.

You are subscribed to email updates from Sports World To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610