Photo by Vanessa Ng of the white-faced Cityscape
WOODBINE MILE NEXT MONTH
Dance and Dance, Cityscape, Wise Dan among names tossed around
from RACING POST – Canada could be next for globetrotter Cityscape
By Paul Eacott
ROGER CHARLTON is contemplating sending Cityscape on his travels once again following his fine second behind Excelebration in the Group 1 Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville on Sunday.
The six-year-old has already been to Hong Kong and Dubai this year and a trans-atlantic trip could be on the cards next for the six-time winner who has scored in four differnet countries.
“I was naturally thrilled with the way Cityscape performed for us at Deauville yesterday,” Charlton told his website.
“He coped well with the fast ground and stayed on bravely in the closing stages to be beaten a length and a half by Excelebration.
“He may go to Toronto for the Woodbine Mile Group 1 in mid-September and his main target is likely to be the Qipco Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot in October.”
IT’S A BIRD, IT’S A PLANE…IT’S GAIL!
IT’S GAIL, photo by M Burns
Rolph and Joan Davis celebrated Sunday when IT’S GAIL, their 3yo filly by Niigon -Bob’s Choice, by French Deputy won the Eternal search Stakes for Ontario sired gals after a lot of anxious moments.
The chunky chestnut, a $40K local yearling purchase from the consignment of Auchamore Farm, would not go into the gate, raced well off the pace and then wide, and then lugged in through the stretch on her way to victory.
There was a long inquiry as Future Surprise and steadied/shied a bit from It’s Gail lugging in, but the result stood.
“She’s stubborn and she has a lot of ability,” said trainer Robert Tiller. “This filly is just going to keep getting better in my opinion.”
The conditioner was keen to point out Niigon’s stamina influence on It’s Gail, who now boasts two wins and a second in three route attempts.
“She’s a typical Niigon,” offered Tiller. “He’s a great sire, the best sire in Ontario right now. No doubt about it.”
It’s Gail banked $75,000 in victory, improving her career record to three wins and a second in four career starts.
She returned $4, $2.60 and $2.10, pairing with Blues Dancing ($3.60, $3.10) for a $17.40 (7-2) exactor. A 7-2-6 (Future Surprise, $3.70 to show) triactor was worth $80.50. A $1 7-2-6-1 (Grace Phil) superfecta paid $79.35.
It’s Gail is a full sister to recent winner BOBCAYGEON.
The time of 1:46.72 was translated into a 64 Beyer Figure, which seems a bit low considering the track was not extreme;y fast.
Note – 6 of the 10 races had Beyer Figures in the 50s and that is quite a surprising stat since not every horse on the card was of modest ability…
As for NIIGON, the Queen’s Plate winner, he does not have a single yearling in the select portion of the yearling sale but 6 in the preferred session.
More from Sunday – MEMORIES LAST LOVE continued the startling roll of owner/trainer Paul Buttigeg. The One Way Love filly, who has a half brother in the upcoming yearling sale (see below), rallied in time to take the 6 furlong allowance for non-winners of 2. In that 12 horse field, there was a 3 to 5 shot (!!), State Street, who was far back.
The fastest race of the day was the allowance/optional claiming event won by LUCKY LOTTO, owned and bred by Martin Cherry. This is a Pure Prize fellow who is trained by Sid Attard and Jim McAleney was back to ride this good runner. The horse is 3 for 10 in his career now. Favoured Bear’s Chill faded to 7th in the race, was claimed for a hefty $62,500 by Tucci Stables and will have a lot of work to do to recoup that money.
THE BEAR VOW, a $375,000 purchase, won his maiden for $50K in race 3, his 8th start. The son of Broken Vow is owned by Bear Stables Ltd and trained by Reade Baker.
A rare face in the winner’s circle was FRANK MAIDA, whose Pedigree Farms has been out of the racing business for some time but his 4yo homebred CAN’T BLUFF COREY somehow got up to win a close photo and take her maiden in race 5 Trained by Nick Nosowenko, the filly keyed a Niigon exactor with Tsuper.
SUTHERLAND PICKS UP 2ND WHIP INFRACTION IN LESS THAN 2 WEEKS
4 day ban overlaps Game On Dude this weekend, but she can still ride
FROM THE SHERGAR CUP at ascot on Saturday – Emma-Jayne Wilson wants to bring idea to Woodbine, Chantal Sutherland another whip violation:
“I’m going to speak to the guys at Woodbine and see if we can’t get something like this together at home,” – Emma-Jayne Wilson on the Shergar Cup Jockey competition..
On Chantal:
https://apps.facebook.com/theguardian/sport/2012/aug/11/ascot-shergar-cup-chantal-
ONTARIO-BRED MECHAYA ROMPS IN DEL MAR DEBUT
MECHAYA, a City Zip – Sago, by Valid Expections 2yo bred in Ontario by James, Janeane Everatt and Arika Everatt Meeuse, won her debut at Del Mar on Aug 10 by 2 lengths as the 8 to 5 favourite.
This filly sold as hip 121, was consigned by Hill ‘n’ Dale for $35,000 last year here, was pinhooked by Donver for $240,000 and is now owned by Doubledown Stables Inc. and trained by John Sadler.
CTHS ONTARIO WOODBINE YEARLING SALE UPDATES FROM SUNDAY
if you are following along, each day, THOROUGHBLOG gives you some catalogue updates from the previous day’s racing as it pertains to the Sept 3, 4, 8 sale next month:
Sunday, August 12
Race 7 – ALW NW2X 3UP
#4 Menlo Castle – Hip 76 ½ brother by Bold Executive – 2ND
Race 8 – ETERNAL SEARCH S.
#1 Grace Phil – Hip 14 full brother – FOURTH
#2 Blues Dancing – Hip 8 ½ brother by Milwaukee Brew SECOND
#6 Future Surprise – Hip 65 ½ sister by After Market THIRD
Race 10 – ALW N2L OSS
#10 Memories Last Love – Hip 154 ½ brother by Seeking the Best – WINNER
CANADIAN HORSE RACING HALL OF FAME – THURSDAY NIGHT
The 2012 Thoroughbred Inductees are:
Jambalaya – Male Horse Category KINGFIELD FARMS, CATHERINE DAY PHILLIPS AND FAMILY OWN THIS MILLIONAIRE
Arravale – Female Horse Category – BOB, NORA AND CAROLYN COSTIGAN CELEBRATE, MAC BENSON TRAINED
L’Alezane – Veteran Horse Category – JEAN LOUIS LEVESQUE’S TOP FILLY (means ‘Chestnut in English)
Russell Baze – Jockey/Trainer Category – winningest Canadian-born jockey
Aubrey Minshall – Builder Category – founder of famed MINSHALL FARMS, Barb Minshall will celebrate her late husband’s operation
Auction items listed here:
http://canadianhorseracinghalloffame.com/?p=2030
