Saturday racing preview: What the trainers say

By Sporting Life

Horse Racing

Sat October 07, 2023 · 1y ago

Check out the view from connections ahead of Saturday's big-race action at Newmarket and Redcar.

2.05 Newmarket 150,000 Tattersalls October Auction Stakes

Heather Main - Zoulu Chief: “He’s ready to run again and we’re excited to get him out again. We’ve had this race in sight for a while since we bought him and I think it will suit him nicely. I really wanted to run him in the Mill Reef or the Flying Childers at Doncaster but the ground went against him which was frustrating. Hopefully it will hold out until Saturday for him.”

Tom Ward - Woodhay Wonder: “She’s a nice filly and I think she has come on a bit from her last win at Newmarket. She’s fresh and well and I have kept her fresh for this race having got some black type with her earlier in the year. She’s got plenty of size and scope about her so hopefully she will be a nice filly next season as well, but we’ll have this last run and then put her away. She’s a nice type and I hope she will run a nice race. She’s already picked up one of these races and hopefully will run well and go close again on Saturday.”

James Ferguson - Drama: “Things didn’t go to plan for Drama last time at Newmarket. I still have plenty of confidence in the horse. His work has been impressive, and you cannot shy away from a challenge with this sort of prize money on offer.”

2.25 Jim Barry Cumberland Lodge Stakes

Angus Gold, racing manager for Al Aasy and Israr owners Shadwell: “It’s a very good race for older staying horses and it comes at a nice time in the calendar, so we’ve always kept it in mind. Al Aasy ran very well at Leopardstown,” commented Gold. “He had to come from a long way back and the winner had already kicked on well. This horse is in good form and hopefully he can put in another good performance at Ascot.”

“Everyone was of the same opinion that Israr just didn’t handle the all-weather at Kempton last time; he just looked miserable on itIt was a hot day, the surface got very sticky and he just hated it, so we’ll get him back on the turf and he should enjoy that a lot more.”

Nick Bradley, owner Al Qareem: “He’s come out of the race at Chester well and he will improve fitness-wise for that run. It is obviously a slight step up in grade and this will tell us if we go for another Group Three in three weeks’ time or think about the Prix Royal-Oak.”

Jane Chapple-Hyam - Claymore: “We’ve got to try and he’s been off the track a while. I would prefer it to be over a mile and a quarter, but he’s back on his winning track. There wasn’t much else for older horses. Neil Callan came in and rode him and liked what he rode and was pleased with him. He’s just had little niggles here and there, but we feel we have ironed them all out and he’s ready for a run.”

Quick Fire Ascot Howden Challenge Cup Selections

2.45 William Hill Two Year Old Trophy

Sam Hoskins, racing manager for Kennet Valley Thoroughbreds, owners of Dragon Leader: “We’re really looking forward to seeing him run again and it’s a perfect fit in terms of where he sits in the weights because of his sire’s median price. The ground was just a bit too soft for him at Doncaster but he still ran a very game race to finish second and it was another good day all round. Hopefully, it will be a little quicker at Redcar on Saturday, as that will suit him much better.

“He doesn’t owe us anything and we’re obviously aware of the fact that it’s the end of a relatively busy first season for him. But Clive says he’s going well at home and showing no signs of being over the top, so fingers crossed he holds his form. It’s quite nerve-wracking being odds-on for such a valuable race, but we’ve got 15 of his owners going up to Redcar and it promises to be another great day out.”

“There were quite a few enquiries about him after his win at York but his syndicate are in it for the sport and a bit of fun, so it would have taken an exceptional offer to tempt anyone. He’s a horse that’s got plenty of scope and we’re all very excited about where he could take us again next season.”

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