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Nemoralia can turn the volume up on Town Moor
Simple Verse stirred the emotions on Town Moor on day two of the Doncaster St Leger Festival.
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Almost lost to the wilderness she is now firmly fixed in the “O ye of little faith” category. Our Thursday treat was soon followed by a bit of betting chaos.
In this modern world of non-stop sound coming out of racecourse speakers, there is always a danger of the important bulletins lost in translation. Now I’m all for all the fun of the fair and adding to the atmosphere, but betting is a serious matter or indeed the news of jockey changes, weight changes and non-runners.
I crave the day that there is some distinction from the racecourse entertainment and official announcements. The Weatherbys Hamilton 300,000 2-Y-O Stakes, I grant you, was on the big screen at Doncaster and it was there for all to see that Silvestre De Sousa had dismounted from Spiritual Lady in some discomfort.
What followed was a muffled announcement that the favourite was withdrawn.
Most horses were in the stalls, and forming a new market when on-course bookmakers were either not certain or confident what had been taken out is impossible!
So the favourite was withdrawn, there was no new market, and then I was approached and asked what was the Rule 4, as even though there was once again another announcement, the clarity needed to be aired over the PA system much louder.
The measure of how ineffective the PA announcement was will be the number of ‘sleepers’ at the end of the day. Sleepers are unclaimed bets so those on Spiritual Lady were entitled to their money back.
The Doncaster example only highlights what needs to be done at all courses countrywide. Whether that is by means of a bell or alarm prior to the announcement which then goes on to signify its official, then all well and good.
There is no harm, either, putting details on the big screens and on all the CCTV around the enclosures in order to bring it to the racegoers’ attention.
Doncaster is always brilliant fun, has a great atmosphere and the public address entertainment is generally more understated than at other courses. It’s time, though, that pauses are taken at appropriate times to convey important news at all racecourses when the need arises.
It’s day three and the run in to third of Jeremy Noseda’s Firefright in Mubtasim’s race gives a lift to the chances of Nemoralia in the Japan Racing Association Sceptre Stakes. She is odds-on already so is no novelty.
Then it is the 250th Doncaster Cup and it could finally be the time for Sheikhzayedroad, who ran brilliantly in both the Ascot Gold Cup and the Goodwood Cup.
Tanya Stevenson's St Leger meeting day three bets:
1.55 Doncaster: Nemoralia at 10-11 with Betfair Sportsbook
3.40 Doncaster: Sheikhzayedroad at 6-1 with Betfair Sportsbook
Tanya Stevenson's St Leger meeting day three pointers:
1.55 Doncaster - Japan Racing Association Sceptre Stakes:
Since 2000 the race has been dominated by three-year-olds, with only Favourable Terms in 2005 and Nice One Clare in 2001 aged five visiting the winners enclosure
Eight of the last ten winners had avoided that season’s Royal Ascot and York’s Ebor Meeting today Lumiere, Maggie Pink and Same Jurisdiction qualify
Eight of the last ten winners had been beaten on their most recent run
Only two of the last ten favourites have obliged
2.30 Doncaster - Pepsi Max Flying Childers Stakes:
Six of the last 10 favourites have won
Frankie Dettori will be hoping to win it for a fifth time – this year aboard Ardad
Richard Hannon will be attempting to win it for the third straight year – Grizzel & Legendary Lunch
Nine of the last ten winners had run in at least Group Three
Five of the last ten winners had run in the Molecomb Stakes at Glorious Goodwood (Yalta & The Last Lion)
Five of the last ten winners had gone via York’s Ebor Meeting
Eight of the last ten winners had run in at least a Group Two previously
Nine of the last ten winners had won at least twice in their two-year-old campaign
3.05 Doncaster - Ladbrokes Mallard Stakes:
Jamie Spencer has won the race four times since 2003, (Shabernak 2003, Sendintank 2005, Precision Break 2010, Curbyourenthusiasm 2015)
Eight of the last ten winners were beaten on their previous race
Seven of the last ten winners had run at York’s Ebor meeting
Four of the last seven winners had a previous win at Doncaster on their CV
Only two of the last ten favourites have won
3.40 Doncaster - 250th Doncaster Cup:
Three of the last ten winners of the Doncaster Cup had previously run in the race (2013 Times Up, 2006, Sergeant Cecil)
All of the last ten winners of came from the first three in the betting (inc five favourites)
Eight of the last ten winners had run in that same season’s Lonsdale Cup (Five completed the double) (Today Quest For More, Clever Cookie, Curbyourenthusiasm)
Seven of the last ten winners had run at a previous St Leger Meeting
