GREAT NEWS FOR GREAT LEIGHS

Duke entered for
Great Leighs contest

Duke Of Marmalade: entered in the Thoroughbred Open Classic at Great Leighs on Saturday


OFFICIALS at Great Leighs expressed their delight after the newly-formed Thoroughbred Open meeting on Saturday night received a bumper entry - including five-time Group 1 winner Duke Of Marmalade.

Aidan O'Brien has given his colt an entry in the Thoroughbred Open Classic, along with regular pacemaker Red Rock Canyon, as he considers giving his star a run on the artificial surface in readiness for a possible crack atthe Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita next month.

The Ballydoyle maestro suggested at the weekend that Duke Of Marmalade's participation would depend on whether the colt would be targeted at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on October 5 and the likely ground conditions at Longchamp.

Dundalk have also made a last-ditch attempt to lure Duke Of Marmalade to their all-weather venue by staging a similar race to Great Leighs at a meeting on October 3.

Rip Van Winkle and Born To Be King could make the journey from Ballydoyle to Great Leighs to contest the Thoroughbred Open Juvenile, while the presence of top sprinters and stayers in the other two £40,000 events has given chairman John Holmes cause for optimism.

He said: "We have been putting the components for The Thoroughbred Open in place for a long time; even the date has been secured in the long term to coincide with the annual Breeders' Cup trials at Santa Anita and Belmont Park.

"I believe that the depth and quality of entry across all fourraces shows that the demand is there and that we have pitched this just right.
"I am delighted with the recognition and support we have received from international trainers.

"Much media focus has been on the possible participation of Duke Of Marmalade, but Ballydoyle has also supported our Juvenile event, and the Sprint could also turn out to be a fascinating contest, with entries including Asset, Ceremonial Jade, Elletelle, King's Apostle and Racer Forever."

The venue has pulled out all the stops to make an authentic American experience and the big races will start with a bell as the field break from the stalls.

Mark Wallace was hoping to saddle Captain Ramius in the juvenile event, but he is now likely to bypass that event if the well-touted Rip Van Winkle does turn up, although also holds an entry in the Royal Lodge at Ascot, for which he is 7-4 favourite with Blue Square.

"To be honest, if Rip Van Winkle runs I don't think we will," said Newmarket-based Wallace, who will move to train in Australia at the start of next year.

"It looks to be hot race and I just stuck him in to see what turned up.

"He's a really nice horse and is going the right way. I think there might be a Listed race coming up at Dundalk for him instead."

see home page, a great pic of the Duke!

I suppose there's stuff-all chance Racing International will broadcast this, if it's an evening meeting?

Fantastic news Dave - I'll try and get over there - as long as it's not now 'all ticket' or dbl the entrance - lol!

Jim.
(ps keep stocking thew bar up mate - 3 weeks and counting!)

CHANGE OF PLAN!!!


THE Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe or a prep for a possible Breeders' Cup Classic bid on the Polytrack at Dundalk a week on Friday are the options for Duke Of Marmalade after Aidan O'Brien all but ruled him out of the Thoroughbred Open Classic at Great Leighs on Saturday.

O'Brien said on Wednesday night: "It looks as if we won't be represented at Great Leighs on Saturday and that Duke Of Marmalade will either run in the Arc, if the ground is suitable, or in the race they have put on at Dundalk next Friday night.”

Duke Of Marmalade, who recorded his fifth straight Group 1 win when landing the Juddmonte International Stakes at Newmarket last month, is being aimed at Santa Anita on October 25 with the Classic his likely target.

O'Brien confirmed that his three Emirates Melbourne Cup candidates, Septimus, Honolulu and Alessandro Volta, went into quarantine at Ballydoyle on Wednesday: "The three horses have gone into quarantine for two weeks with a view to travelling to Australia next month."