Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Sports World

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Diva on song again in France Posted: 15 Sep 2010 03:56 AM PDT David Elsworth seems to have found the key to his four-year-old filly Swiss Diva, who completed a hattrick of victories on the other side of the Channel when hacking up against decent opposition in the Group 3 Qatar Prix du Petit Couvert at Longchamp on Sunday, writes Elliot Slater. Not surprisingly, given her pedigree, those looking at irish racing tips note that the daughter of Pivotal has really come into her own over the last month on easy ground in France, and after winning a five furlong listed contest at Deauville in early-August, she returned to the elegant coastal track to step up in grade and distance to land the Group 3 Prix du Mautry Lucienne Barriere over six furlongs a fortnight ago. The manner of Sunday's win back over the minimum trip impressed seasoned race watchers, with leading local jockey Ioritz Mendizabal coasting into the leading at the two furlong marker and then just nudging his mount out to win with any amount in hand over the decent Bluster. Elsworth, the man who has trained great horses such as In The Groove, Persian Punch and Desert Orchid, has seen it all before and isn't one to get easily carried away these days, but he was quick to suggest that Swiss Diva, (who is owned by the Lordship Stud), is now good enough to take her chance at Group 1 level and have a crack at the Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp on 'Arc' day, October 3rd. A decent handicapper last term, those looking at betting tips note that Swiss Diva has clearly blossomed from three to four years, and should the ground come up soft in Paris there is every chance that she will give a very good account of herself in what looks an open renewal of the race.

Six go for glory in Champagne Stakes Posted: 15 Sep 2010 03:48 AM PDT The Group 2 Neptune Investment Management Champagne Stakes, the opening race on Doncaster's Ladbrokes St Leger day card on Saturday, has attracted a field of just six runners but promises to be a fascinating affair with Gimcrack Stakes hero Approve bidding to give weight and a beating to his five rivals, writes Elliot Slater. Winner of the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot, William Haggas' Oasis Dream colt was subsequently found wanting in both the July Stakes and the Prix Robert Papin, before bouncing back to form on the Knavesmire with a brave performance to defy Crown Prosecutor by three–quarters-of a length. Set to concede 3lbs to all his rivals, the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing-owned juvenile might have most to fear from the unexposed Godolphin representative Saamidd, winner of his one and only start in a Newbury maiden where he slaughtered his rivals, finishing seven lengths clear of runner-up Yair Hill. A beautifully bred son of Street Cry, from a good female line, Frankie Dettori's mount is very much the dark horse of the race and it looks significant that Godolphin have decided to step him up in grade on only the second outing of his life. Those looking at irish horse racing tips note that Brian Meehan's juveniles are in a rich vein of form and his Waiter's Dream is another with claims having comfortably accounted for a possibly below-par field in the Group 3 Acomb Stakes at York last month. Well regarded by connections, Meehan's charge will have the assistance of Keiren Fallon in the saddle. Richard Fahey's Waltz Darling appears to have at least 10lbs to find with the principals, Karam Albaari only scraped home in an all-weather maiden, and Castlemorris King is in the field to give his owners a nice day out but has no chance of making any impression. The race looks to rest though between Approve and Saamidd, with the latter taken to cause a minor surprise and get the better of William Haggas' expected irish racing market leader.

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