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Doncaster Cup |
Tregoning Up for the Doncaster Cup with Askar Tau
02/09/09
Marcus Tregoning is seeking a first £100,000 Group Two DFS Doncaster Cup victory with the progressive stayer Askar Tau, who is set to contest the historic two and a quarter-mile showpiece on Friday, September 11, the third day of the 2009 Ladbrokes St Leger Festival.
Successful in five handicaps on the bounce last season, the four-year-old proved himself a high-class performer when winning the Group Two Lonsdale Cup over two miles at York on August 19, defeating Drill Sergeant by a length and a quarter.
Tregoning revealed today: “Askar Tau is still on course for the DFS Doncaster Cup. I was delighted with his win at York and he seems to be progressing the right way. If he can find a little bit more, hopefully he can go well again.
“He has to carry a 3lb penalty, which is never easy to give away in a Group race, but he is working well and is in good form. I can’t say he has improved for York, because I think he was pretty good that day but his work has been fine and I’m hoping he will run a very big race again.
“It is difficult to tell whether he will definitely handle softer ground, should that scenario occur, because he has always been effective on good to firm. You would have to hope he would though - being by Montjeu out of an Acatenango mare. He should really go on good to soft anyway, I can’t see that being a problem to him so ground should not be an issue either way. He’s a proper stayer.”
Aidan O’Brien has saddled the past two winners of the DFS Doncaster Cup with Honolulu (2008) and Septimus (2007) landing the spoils under Johnny Murtagh.
The Jamie Osborne-trained Geordieland chased home Septimus when second two years ago and the classy grey is being prepared for another attempt at the DFS Doncaster Cup. The eight-year-old won the Group Two Henry II Stakes in May and was last seen when third to Yeats in the Group One Gold Cup at Royal Ascot in June.
McBRIDE’S MAIDEN STILL A POSSIBLE DFS MAY HILL STAKES CONTENDER DESPITE SETBACK
Charlie McBride is hoping that his stable star Blue Maiden will still make it to Doncaster for the Group Two DFS May Hill Stakes on Friday, September 11, despite suffering a minor setback last week.
The Newmarket handler earmarked the prestigious mile contest for the smart juvenile following her runner-up finish behind Long Lashes in the seven-furlong Group Three Skybet.com Sweet Solera Stakes at Newmarket on August 8.
McBride revealed today: “Blue Maiden had a bit of a set-back so we are going to work her at the weekend and that will tell us if she will be ready for the DFS May Hill Stakes. She had a corn in her foot, so she was lame last week and had a week off.”
A Newmarket maiden winner over six furlongs in July, Blue Maiden’s form received a boost at the weekend when Sweet Solera Stakes third Sent From Heaven landed the Group Three Prestige Stakes at Goodwood.
Her trainer continued: “Aside from the setback, I’m very pleased with Blue Maiden’s progress. She is the best horse I have ever trained and the handicapper has put her up to 105 this morning, so he obviously thinks a lot of her as well. I’m just hoping she trains on during the winter and is a Guineas filly for next year.
“There is plenty of stamina in the pedigree but she is not short of speed. I actually think she has sharpened up for her last run and seven furlongs or a mile is enough for her at the moment.”
If Blue Maiden fails to recover on time for the DFS May Hill Stakes, McBride could send the filly to Newmarket for the Group Three Oh So Sharp Stakes on October 2.
McBride said: “We won’t know anything until we have had a look at her working - we are having another think about it. We might have to wait another week or two and go to Newmarket. Wherever she goes, I think she will go on and be a Guineas filly next year and hopefully she will stay further.”
The DFS May Hill Stakes has an illustrious roll of honour and last year’s renewal went to champion two-year-old filly Rainbow View.
This year’s contest promises to be well up to par with the current 1000 Guineas second favourite Seta being pointed at the race by trainer Luca Cumani.
Seta was most impressive on her only start to date, winning a seven-furlong Newmarket maiden by eight lengths on August 1.
The historic five-day Ladbrokes St Leger Festival at Doncaster, which begins on Wednesday, September 9, and runs through to Saturday, September 12, features the world’s oldest Classic race, the Ladbrokes St Leger, first staged in 1776.
