racing news/

Fahey Eyes a Champagne Victory with Master Noverre
02/09/08

Master Noverre heads to Doncaster on Saturday, September 13, the final day of the Ladbrokes St Leger Festival, with trainer Richard Fahey hoping the gelding can emulate his sire, Noverre, and claim victory in the £100,000 Group Two Keepmoat Champagne Stakes (2.05pm).

Noverre took the prestigious prize in 2000 en route to becoming the champion three-year-old miler in Europe the following season and Fahey is hoping that Master Noverre proves to be a chip off the old block in the seven-furlong contest.

The Malton handler revealed today: “Master Noverre is likely to run in the Keepmoat Champagne Stakes - he has done nothing wrong. We always felt he was a horse that would stay and then he won twice over five furlongs, but it was a case of getting some racing into him and, to be fair, he has done well to win those races over the shorter trip. He was able to win over five because he’s a decent horse.”

Master Noverre broke his maiden at the first attempt over the minimum trip at Doncaster in May, at odds of 40/1, and duly followed up as 11/8 favourite over the same distance at Beverley in July.

Stepped up to six furlongs for the Group Two Gimcrack Stakes at Newbury last month, the gelding stayed on strongly in the closing stages under Paul Hanagan to claim the runner-up berth, two and a quarter lengths behind the Mark Johnston-trained Shaweel, who could reoppose.

Fahey continued: “All he did was stay the other day at Newbury. He was coming home well and, to be honest, he has improved now. He was on his head a little bit over five twice but still won and I think the seven furlongs will suit him well.

“If it was very firm he wouldn’t run and if it was heavy, he wouldn’t run, but he’ll run on anything in between. It’ll be a tough race but I think he’s going to step up again now, so we’re looking forward to seeing him run.”

Deadly Secret, runner-up to odds-on favourite Zuzu in a six-furlong Ripon conditions race on August 16, is also entered in the Keepmoat Champagne Stakes but Fahey has other plans for the Johannesburg colt.

He reported: “Deadly Secret also holds an entry and is in good order but I’m thinking I just might go for the Weatherbys Insurance £300,000 Two-Year-Old Stakes on Thursday with him.”

Fellow North Yorkshire trainer, Karl Burke is considering his high-class colt Lord Shanakill for a date at Doncaster’s Ladbrokes St Leger Festival.

The Speightstown juvenile, third to Bushman in the Group One Darley Prix Morny last month, could line up in the seven-furlong Keepmoat Champagne Stakes or the Group Two Polypipe Flying Childers Stakes over five furlongs on Friday, September 12, although a trip south is top of the agenda.

Burke revealed this morning: “Lord Shanakill will be left in the Champagne Stakes and will also have an entry in the Flying Childers Stakes, which may sound strange, but our provisional plan is to go for the six-furlong Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury. As it stands, we’re keeping all our options open.

“He’s better on top of the ground so he wouldn’t go anywhere if it goes very soft or heavy, but he would handle a little bit of cut.”

The Keepmoat Champagne Stakes is one of the season’s premier two-year-old contests and invariably produces a top-class spectacle. The 2008 renewal will be no exception with a host of classy juveniles entered, including Darley Prix Morny runner-up Gallagher, Group Two Veuve Clicquot Vintage Stakes hero Orizaba and Group Three Solario Stakes winner Sri Putra.

Zacinto, a mightily impressive Sandown maiden winner for trainer Sir Michael Stoute and owner Khalid Abdulla may run, as could the Henry Cecil-trained Newmarket maiden victor Wingwalker, who carries the same colours.

The all-conquering Aidan O’Brien has a wealth of talent to choose from, with his eight entries including unbeaten Group Three Tyros Stakes winner Rip Van Winkle, impressive Gowran Park maiden victor Masterofthehorse and the once-raced winner Hail Caesar.

Last year’s renewal went to the Mark Johnston-trained McCartney and the trainer has another strong hand. As well as Shaweel, the Middleham handler could opt to run Ayr maiden winner Weatherstaff, Jukebox Jury, Harwalla and Crackdown.

LATEST GOING UPDATE

David Williams, Doncaster Clerk of the course, revealed this afternoon: “The ground is currently GOOD, slightly on the easy side, so perfect at this stage.

“The long-range forecast is unsettled this week and if we do have any significant rain it would possibly fall on Friday. The weekend also looks unsettled but next week appears a lot more promising.”