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Friday 13 September 2013

NARGYS FINALLY COMES GOOD



After more than a year without a win, Nargys bounced back to her best to take the Japan Racing Association Sceptre Stakes. The daughter of Lawman had shown much promise at two, when she ended her campaign by chasing home Just The Judge in the Group Two Rockfel Stakes, but until today her best effort this year had been a fourth at Listed level at Royal Ascot.

Rider Andrea Atzeni put her improvement down to the easy ground. "She likes to get her toe in," he said, "and today she was able to show what she can do. And seven furlongs is her trip; last time it was six furlongs at Pontefract on fast ground, no good to her at all."

Nargys' trainer Luca Cumani was not present. The three-year-old filly, an 8/1 shot, came home a length and three-quarters clear of 25/1 chance Switcher and 11/4 hope Winning Express, split by a nose. There was a neck back to the fourth Annecdote, with 15/8 favourite Maureen a short-head away in fifth.

"She settled well, travelled well and picked up well," added Atzeni. "What more could I ask? It's nice to see her back, and I hope she can go on from this. It will have given her confidence and she was at her best in the autumn last year."

Second race, 2.10pm: The Japan Racing Association Sceptre Stakes
Quotes

CAREER BEST FOR SWITCHER
 
Richard Fahey, trainer of Switcher, who was a length-and-three-quarters second in the Group Three Japan Racing Association Sceptre Stakes, was unable to attend Doncaster today as he is showing horses to owners back at his Malton base but bloodstock agent Robin O'Ryan, who advises Fahey and buys a lot of the horses in his yard, commented: "That was a career best. We were delighted with her absolutely delighted - she has run a blinder."
  
Switcher was third in the Listed City of York Stakes last time out and this was a definite step forward for the four-year-old Whipper filly, though were she will next reappear has yet to be decided.

"She loves soft ground so it will be ground dependent on where she goes next." added O'Ryan

Tony Hamilton, who rode the bay filly said: "She has run brilliantly."
                                                                                                                                             
Ed McMahon, trainer of third Winning Express, said: "We were thinking of going across the pond with her but she has been on the go for a fair time so we will have to see."

ACKROYD KEEPS IT IN THE FAMILY

Fashion expert Liz Ackroyd was crowned the DFS Best Dressed Lady at Doncaster this afternoon after fending off strong competition from a field of 10 finalists.

Ackroyd, from Hull, East Yorkshire, is the owner of Fashion Pour La Femme and is no stranger to winning this sort of competition, having won the title of 'Best Dressed Lady Racegoer in Yorkshire' in 2010.

She now goes on to represent Doncaster Racecourse in the final of 'Yorkshire's Best Dressed Lady 2013' which is held here at the Racing Post Trophy meeting on October 26.

It would seem that fashion runs in the family as Ackroyd's daughter, Hollie Dixon, won the equivalent competition at Beverley on their popular Ladies' Day back in August which means that mother will take on daughter in the final.

As part of her prize for winning the competition, Ackroyd will be whisked away to New York, courtesy of DFS, as well as winning a full-day beauty package which has been provided by Beauty at Doncaster. She has also won an executive suite overnight stay for two at The Crown Hotel, Bawtry.

"I can't wait to go to New York - it'll be fab!" said Ackroyd.

"I hope New York is ready for me and I hope my credit card is ready as well as I'll be hitting the shops!"

"I've been racing lots around Yorkshire and was actually in the Best Dressed Lady competition at Beverley that my daughter won. We'll both be in the final now so I just hope one of us wins it!"

Abbey Bouchen from Doncaster finished second and wins two tickets to London Fashion Week, courtesy of DFS, as does Kirsty Booth from Doncaster, who finished third.

The seven other finalists also receive a total of £75 worth of vouchers to spend at the Bawtry Retail Association and Robinsons of Bawtry.

SECOND RACE RESULT

2.10pm Japan Racing Association Sceptre Stakes (Group 3)
£60,000 total prize fund. For 3yo+ fillies and mares which have not won a Group 1 Pattern race in 2013, 7f. Weights: 3yo 8st 10lb; 4yo+ 9st. Penalties: after February 28th, 2013, a winner of a Group 3 race 3lb; of a Group 2 race 5lb. Weight for age: 3yo from 4yo+ 4lb. Penalty value 1st £35,520.00 2nd £13,434.00 3rd £6,714.00 4th £3,354.00.

1) NARGYS (IRE) (Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum) Luca Cumani 3-8-10 Andrea Atzeni [3] 8/1
2) SWITCHER (IRE) (Middleham Park Racing LXII) Richard Fahey 4-9-00 Tony Hamilton [6] 25/1
3) WINNING EXPRESS (IRE) (Milton Express Limited) Ed McMahon 3-8-10 Graham Lee [1] 11/4
4) ANNECDOTE (Tom Edwards & Partners) Johnny Portman 3-8-13 Richard Kingscote [5] 9/2
5) MAUREEN (IRE) (Ahmad Alkhallafi) Richard Hannon 3-8-13 Richard Hughes [2] 15/8f
6) ZURIGHA (IRE) (Saeed H Altayer) Richard Hannon 3-8-10 Ryan Moore [8]
7) BETHANY BAY (IRE) (Thistle Bloodstock Limited) Pat Shanahan IRE 3-8-10 Tadhg O'Shea [9]
8) BOASTFUL (IRE) (Louise Quinn) Karl Burke 5-9-00 Daniel Tudhope [7]
 8 ran                
Non-runners: Ghasabah (Going), The Gold Cheongsam (Going)
Time: 1m 26.30s           
Distances: 1¾, nse, nk, sh, 3½, 9, 11
Breeder: Ballylinch Stud            
Breeding: Lawman (FR) - Spesialta (Indian Ridge)
Tote     Win £9.30         Place £2.30 £3.70 £1.30            Exacta £226.00

Winning trainer:-Name: Cumani, Luca Matteo Date of birth: 7/4/49; Date of first licence: 1976; First winner: Three Legs, Duke Of York Stakes, York, May 13, 1976 Previous Occupation: Jockey in Italy, France and Britain with 84 winners - assistant to Sergio Cumani and Henry Cecil; Classic wins: (3) Vodafone Derby (1988 Kahyasi, 1998 High-Rise), St Leger (1984 Commanche Run) Other major wins include: Breeders' Cup Mile (1994 Barathea), Celebration Mile (2013 Afsare), Challenge Stakes (2005 Le Vie Dei Colori), Eclipse-Stakes (2003 Falbrav), Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (2005 Alkaased), Gran Premio di Milano (2000 Endless Hall), Irish 1,000 Guineas (1990 Ensconse, 2002 Gossamer), Irish Derby (1988 Kahyasi), Irish 2,000 Guineas (1993 Barathea), Italian Oaks (1998 Zomaradah), Japan Cup (2003 Falbrav, 2005 Alkaased), Juddmonte International Stakes (1985 Commanche Run, 1998 One So Wonderful, 2003 Falbrav), Lonsdale Stakes (2002 Boreas), Meon Valley Stud Fillies' Mile (2001 Gossamer), Prix d'Ispahan (2003 Falbrav), Prix du Moulin (2005 Starcraft), Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (1990 Markofdistinction, 2003 Falbrav, 2005 Starcraft), Singapore Airlines International Cup (2001 Endless Hall), St James's Palace Stakes (1985 Bairn, 1987 Half a Year), Sussex Stakes (1991 Second Set), Yorkshire Oaks (1993 & 1994 Only Royale) Ebor (1999 Vicious Circle, 2004 Mephisto, 2007 Purple Moon) Royal Ascot wins: 11 First Royal Ascot winner: Sunny Spring (June 18, 1976 - Windsor Castle Stakes) Major Royal Ascot wins: St James's Palace Stakes (1985 Bairn, 1987 Half A Year), Queen Anne Stakes (1987 Then Again, 1990 Markofdistinction, 1994 Barathea). Trains at Bedford House Stables, Newmarket, Suffolk Horses in training (1985-2013): 100; 112; 119; 151; 165; 187; 150; 132; 121; 96; 103; 124; 139; 152; 135; 100; 83; 84; 103; 102; 103; 120; 112; 118; 101; 103; 113; 113; 101 Wins in a season (1984-2012): 50; 60; 67; 83; 73; 88; 109; 72; 54; 39; 47; 39; 62; 66; 54; 34; 29; 25; 24; 57; 42; 38; 39; 54; 52; 48; 66; 45; 46 Wins in 2013: 50

Winning Jockey:- Name: Atzeni, Andrea Background: Graduate of the British Racing School. Formerly apprenticed to Marco Botti, having joined the trainer's Newmarket yard in 2006.  Rode work in the US in the winter of 2008/2009. Maintains links with Botti as well as riding for a number of other trainers including Roger Varian, Luca Cumani and Rod Millman. Major wins:  Cesarewitch (2009 Darley Sun), Premio Lydia Tesio (2012 Sortilege), Winter Derby (2013 Farrajj), Spring Cup (2013 Haaf A Sixpence), Italian Derby (2013 Biz The Nurse), Lancashire Oaks (2013 Emirates Queen), John Smith's Cup (2013 Danchai), Princess Margaret Stakes (2013 Princess Noor), Betfair Celebration Mile (2013 Afsare), Sceptre Stakes (2013 Nargys) Wins (2008-2012): 30; 47; 41; 55; 54 Wins in 2013: 83
 

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