Kevin Philippart De Foy is uncertain how Inquisitively will handle slower ground as he switches up to Group Two company in the Carlsberg Danish Pilsner Flying Childers Stakes at Doncaster.
The colt was last seen easing to a two-length victory in the Listed Roses Stakes at York, making light work of his rivals on good to firm ground under William Buick.
That performance was his first for new connections having previously been trained to a third-placed finish in the Windsor Castle by Ollie Sangster.
Each of his three runs have been on quick ground, however, and Philippart De Foy is therefore hoping that the turf on Town Moor does not become any softer ahead of this Group Two event.
“The horse won well at York and I think the course will suit him. It’s a very flat, straight course and very straightforward,” he said.
“The ground would be a question mark, he won on fast ground at York and so there is a question mark over soft conditions.
“I am hoping it doesn’t rain any more at Doncaster before the race or it will suit other horses more than Inquisitively.
“He has been in good form since his race at York, I think he took a step forward from that race.
“He’s very straightforward and professional, I don’t think anything will be an issue other than the question over the ground.”
Mick Appleby is also hoping no further rain falls over Doncaster as Big Evs bids to bounce back now returned to juvenile company.
The colt has been an endearing success story so far this term, landing both the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot and the Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood in vastly differing ground conditions.
He then took on older horses in the Nunthorpe at York and while he was well beaten, Appleby feels his Goodwood exertions on soft ground had taken more of a toll than originally thought.
After a wet start to the week, Appleby is now hoping it will stay dry to produce suitable conditions for his star juvenile.
“He seems in good order at the moment, the only concern really is the ground,” he said.
“If it went really soft we wouldn’t run, but we’re hoping it dries up to good ground.
“We’d run on good to soft, obviously he won on soft ground at Goodwood but it wasn’t ideal.
“Other than that he is in very good order and he should run a big race, he’s going there with a very good chance.”
Karl Burke’s Kylian reverts to five furlongs after a beaten effort over six at York last time out.
He contested the Gimcrack Stakes and finished sixth of 10 after going off as the favourite, though Burke has concluded the York track may not be to his liking after he was beaten there on debut too.
He has fared well in all of his other starts, winning the Listed Dragon Stakes at Sandown and finishing third to Big Evs in the Molecomb – where he encountered soft ground after a summer deluge.
Burke said: “I’m just not sure he likes York, he’s been there twice and disappointed twice. We took him there on his debut and thought he was a certainty and he got beaten.
“Maybe the confirmation of the ground just doesn’t suit him there, it’s a sandy base, and I’m not sure six furlongs is his bag either at this stage of his career, so the drop back to five will suit.
“I know he got beaten on very soft ground at Goodwood, but I think it was the draw as much as the ground that beat him there, so I’m not that worried about the ground.
“He’s in great form and hopefully he can put up a good performance.”
Elsewhere is Andrew Balding’s Flora Of Bermuda, winner of the Alice Keppel at Goodwood, with Richard Fahey represented by Norfolk Stakes runner-up Malc.
George Boughey runs Deauville Listed winner Graceful Thunder, while Heather Main’s Zoulu Chief comes into the race in winning form having taken his last two races.
Michael O’Callaghan’s Francis Meynell travels over from Ireland for the race, as does Adrian Murray’s Norfolk winner Valiant Force.
Brian Meehan’s Toca Madera, Richard Spencer’s Fool’s Gold and Roger Teal’s Rosario complete the field of 12.
Supreme Ventures Racing urges review of racing rule after Caymanas Park abandonments
Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL), operators of Caymanas Park, have called for a review of Rule 44 (iii) enforced by the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) following the cancellation of two races during the April 27 race meet at Caymanas Park.
In a press conference on Monday addressing the abandoned races, SVREL Executive Chairman Solomon Sharpe expressed frustration with the rule, highlighting its potential impact on the racing industry.
"This rule, unique to Jamaica, imposes a strict five-minute limit after the published post time for races at Caymanas Park," Sharpe stated. "It fails to account for various factors that can delay race starts and penalizes all stakeholders when races are abandoned, affecting punters, jockeys, grooms, trainers, owners, promoters, and the government."
Last year, Caymanas Park contributed over $260 million in combined taxes to the government's coffers. Sharpe urged the JRC to engage SVREL in discussions on Rule 44, emphasizing the need for constructive dialogue to address the rule's impact.
"We were not consulted during the initial discussions on this rule, and now, with two races abandoned in a single race day, our concerns have materialized," Sharpe explained. "SVREL is open to collaborating with the JRC to review and refine this amended rule."
Representatives from the Grooms Association, Jockeys Association, and the United Racehorse Trainers Association echoed SVREL's concerns and supported the call for a review of Rule 44.
Sharpe concluded by appealing to regulators, stakeholders, and the public to support the growth of the horseracing industry in Jamaica. "Horseracing has immense potential in Jamaica and can become a significant foreign exchange earner. Realizing this potential requires collaboration among all stakeholders."
SVREL has been operating Caymanas Park since March 2017 after the government divested the property. With investments exceeding J$4 billion in product enhancements and innovations like the Mouttet Mile, which boasts the largest purse in the English-speaking Caribbean, SVREL remains committed to advancing the horseracing experience in Jamaica.
Supreme Ventures Racing regrets abandonment of two races at Caymanas Park on Saturday
Supreme Ventures Racing & Entertainment Limited (SVREL) has expressed regret and disappointment following the abandonment of two races during the Saturday, April 27 race day at Caymanas Park in St Catherine, Jamaica.
The decision to abandon these races, SVREL said, was made in compliance with regulations set forth by the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC), leading to the refund of all related pools according to SVREL's Pari-mutuel rules.
According to the statement released by SVREL late Saturday, the abandonment of races number one and six, respectively, was declared by the stewards of the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) due to delays that exceeded the permitted time frame as stipulated by Rule 44(iii).
Specifically, in race number one, scheduled to commence at 12:00 pm, a saddling issue with horse number five and a mandatory veterinary check for horse number eight, which reared and fell after exiting the saddling barn, resulted in delays beyond the allowable limit.
Similarly, race number six, slated for 3:10 pm, was delayed due to a horse running loose, ultimately leading to its abandonment by the stewards of the JRC.
SVREL explained that the recent amendments to Rule 44(iii), which came into effect from April 1, 2024, mandate strict adherence to race start times with a maximum allowance of five minutes after the published post time. SVREL noted that Jamaica is unique in enforcing such a rule without prior consultation with the sole promoter of horseracing in Jamaica.
The enforcement of this rule has led to financial losses for industry stakeholders, including owners, trainers, jockeys, grooms, punters, and the promoter and as such the disruption caused by the abandonment of these races understandably resulted in unrest among stakeholder groups.
Despite the challenges faced, the race meet resumed with race number seven at approximately 4:00 pm, SVREL noted.
SVREL has now issued a sincere apology to valued customers and stakeholders for the inconvenience caused by the abandonment of races one and six by the JRC. SVREL also emphasized its readiness for open dialogue with the JRC and all impacted stakeholders to ensure the continued success and integrity of the horseracing industry.
As the sole promoter of horseracing in Jamaica, SVREL said it remains committed to addressing challenges collaboratively and upholding the highest standards of professionalism and service within the industry.
Light seeking to shine again at Sandown
Kitty’s Light is taking aim at his usual season finisher in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown.
The gelding has been a star for trainer Christian Williams, winning big handicap events like the Eider Chase and the Scottish Grand National and going close in the Charlie Hall and the Coral Trophy.
He has particularly good record in the bet365 Gold Cup on the final day of the season, missing out only due to interference when second in 2021 and coming home third in 2022.
Last year he was completed the set of podium finishes when winning by two and a half lengths under usual jockey Jack Tudor.
The two are well acquainted and teamed up for Kitty’s Light’s Grand National bid at Aintree earlier in the month, where he ran a valiant race to finish fifth behind four Grade-One winning Irish chasers.
Williams was incredibly proud of his stable star and is now hoping the gelding can shine again in the Sandown contest he has found to be lucrative in the past.
“It was wonderful, we trained him to win the race and we thought he could, but you couldn’t be disappointed with what he did,” Williams said of the National performance.
“We were thrilled, the horse tried his best and we were very, very proud of horse and jockey.
“He’s come out of it very well, if the race was run today even then he’d be running, he’s in good form.
“He loves it at Sandown with the big fences, his jumping has come on now but even as a five-year-old he nearly won the race.
“He was third the year after that, it really seems to suit him.
“I think he likes going right-handed, he hangs a little bit right at home and he seems to really enjoy it there.
“We’re taking our chance anyway, he seems well and we’ll hope for the best.”
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