Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Sports World |
| Posted: 14 Jul 2010 05:39 AM PDT Tottenham fans can breathe a sigh of relief as their talismanic manager Harry Redknapp has signed a deal which will keep him at the club until 2013. Redknapp's previous contract was due to expire in 2010, but the club have now exercised an option for a two year extension after the former Portsmouth boss guide his side into a Champions League spot. Commenting on the news, Redknapp hinted that he could spend even longer in North London. He said: "Who knows? I might stay with Spurs many more years than 2013. "You never know what is around the corner and, while I have the energy, I think I will carry on for as long as I can. I feel as though I have a good few years left me in yet." Redknapp pointed to a number of high-profile managers who have continued working into their 60s, and added that there is no substitute for experience in the profession. The side may not be many people's Premier League betting tips for the title this season, but they should still challenge for Europe. So it seems Spurs fans should look forward to seeing Redknapp in the dugout for years to come, but that's not the entire story. After all, this is the man who only a few weeks ago was shamelessly linking himself with the England job. Spurs fans would also do well to remember that Redknapp has issued his standard line upon signing a new deal with a club. Indeed, when he put pen to paper on a contract with Portsmouth back in May 2006 he said: "I wouldn't go anywhere else now. Definitely not. I mean it this time. I wouldn't go anywhere else for sure. Not a chance. This is the end for me. This is the last job for me." No one who has bet on the Premier League in the past should need reminding what happened after that. So yes, Spurs fans should pleased their manager has committed to the club for three more years, but they should also remember that this doesn't necessarily mean he'll be in charge when 2013 rolls around.  |
| Ireland’s Hughes land Indian Derby Posted: 14 Jul 2010 01:30 AM PDT Racing in India has proved very fruitful for popular Irishman Richard Hughes, who after booting home ten winners in England last week followed by a Group 1 success in France on the deserving Dick Turpin, travelled on to Asia on Sunday where he partnered Moonlight Romance to victory in the Grade 1 Kingfisher Derby Bangalore, writes Elliot Slater. Earlier this year Hughes thrilled the Indian crowds and racing tips pundits with his winning association with star local filly Jacqueline on whom he landed a stunning four Grade 1's, and it was more of the same as Richard Hannon's son-in-law and stable jockey ran out a cosy victor on Moonlight Romance, the daughter of China Visit providing Indian training legend Cooji Katrak with his 16th Grade 1 career success. Hughes has always expressed his appreciation of racing in India and it is highly significant that he chose to fly half way across the world to take the ride at a time when he is in with a serious chance of challenging for the British jockeys title. Hughes is currently lying second to the flying Paul Hanagan with 68, some 16 behind the high flying Richard Fahey stable jockey and one ahead of defending champion Ryan Moore. As well as partnering Moonlight Romance to a famous success, Hughes booted home a further two winners on the card to give his adoring Indian fans plenty to smile about. With Indian racing very much on the up and up it was significant that Michael O'Hagan of Irish racing Thoroughbred Marketing was also on hand to witness his countryman triumph and to court the burgeoning Indian bloodstock market ahead of the late summer and autumn sales in Ireland.  |
| Torbo flies the flag for Israel Posted: 14 Jul 2010 12:57 AM PDT If asked to think of racing nations around the world, probably the last place you would suggest is the tiny Middle Eastern nation of Israel. Even though they have no racecourse and currently no breeding industry, one Israeli bred horse continues to fly the flag as his owners strive to become the first to produce a locally bred horse to win on the British stage, writes Elliot Slater. Royal Torbo, trained by George Baker, has been with the Moreton Morrell handler since he was a yearling, sent over by owner/breeders Arik and Betty Rayzner at an early stage of his career in order to give him the opportunity to acclimatise to British conditions after growing up in the searing heat of the desert. The only horse in training by the Rayzner's German bred stallion Tabari (by Sadlers Wells), a close relative of the great Sea The Stars, the three-year-old gelding is definitely no world-beater but has gone close to landing that elusive first Israeli win, including when beaten a neck in a Wolverhampton maiden in January. Not seen since running third in a handicap on a return visit to Dunstall Park, Baker's charge is due to reappear shortly after a spring break, as the quest to get the Israeli-bred's head in front continues. As Israel's Stud Book is currently inactive there seems little possibility according to Irish horse racing tips of any other compatriots trying to follow his lead, so, should he manage to win at any level, Royal Torbo could well become the first, and last Israel bred horse to manage such a feat. That is, unless his unraced four-year-old half-brother Royal Tiger (by Tiger Hill), also in training with Baker, can get his head in front in bumpers or over hurdles this winter. Should either of the Israeli 'Royal's' win it will probably go unheralded by the Irish racing press, but back in their homeland, the country with no racing or breeding infrastructure whatsoever will have achieved something very special.  |
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