ALL ABOUT THE FIRST RACE - SATURDAY, JUNE 7

Favourite trots up

DERBY DAY 2008
RACENEWS RACECOURSE SERVICE
EPSOM DOWNS, SATURDAY, JUNE 7

Race 1: totesportcasino.com Handicap
Winners Quotes

CONDUIT SLUICES UP

Connections of Conduit were almost playing down the achievements of the three-year-old after an imperious performance in the totesportcasino.com Handicap, the Derby Day opener, which the strongly-fancied favourite won by six lengths.

Conduit, who carried a pound overweight, went from last to first in the final two furlongs under a confident ride by jockey Ryan Moore. “It probably wasn’t the strongest race for the grade, but he’s done it very well. At the moment, he’s a handicapper, but we hope he’ll progress,” said the jockey.

Trainer Sir Michael Stoute, whose Tartan Bearer goes in the Vodafone Derby, was complimentary of the horse, without going overboard. “He’s a very well balance horse,” he said.

The horse had not elected to come down the middle of the course, explained the trainer, “We were just outpaced early and he just had to pull him wide,” he said.

Moore was unworried when the horse did not go the pace. “My fella stays very well,” he said.

The jockey also stated that the ground was riding good and would be fine for Tartan Bearer in the premier Classic.

Peter Reynolds of the Ballymacoll Stud, which owns the horse said: “Conduit is closely related to Hard Top and I see no reason why he shouldn’t get a mile and a half.”

This is the third Sir Michael Stoute-trained winner of this race in the last five runnings following Stage Gift, also owned by Ballynacoll Stud, in 2006 and Lord Mayor in 2004.

Race 1 - totesportcasino.com Stakes - placed quotes

RAMONA PLEASES CONNECTIONS

Trainer Sylvester Kirk was upbeat after Ramona Chase’s six-length defeat at the hands of an impressive Conduit in the opening race on Vodafone Derby Day, the totesportcasino.com Stakes over 10 furlongs.

Richard Hughes settled the son of Derby winner High Chaparral in mid-division before switching off the rail three furlongs from home to lay down his challenge and just got up for second in the shadow of the post.

“Ramona Chase has run another great race but he’s giving the winner almost a stone. We just bumped into a well-handicapped horse. Another one of Sir Michael Stoute’s (Dr Faustus) beat him at Newmarket two starts back,” explained Kirk.
“It’s unfortunate because he’s a tough horse and deserves to win a nice race. Richard (Hughes) was happy with him and said that he had every chance but just came up against a well-handicapped one today.”

PLACE QUOTES

Race one - totesportcasino.com Heritage Handicap

Trainer Michael Jarvis was pleased with the effort of third-placed First Avenue who kept on well to finish six lengths and a neck behind impressive winner Conduit.

The Montjeu colt, successful over a mile as a juvenile last year, was stepping down to 10 furlongs, having finished third over a furlong and a half further at Windsor in May.

Jarvis said: “I’m happy with his run. He really wants a mile and a half and cut in the ground, so we’ll take him home and see where we go next.”

West Ilsley trainer Mick Channon is considering a date at Royal Ascot for the gallant Siberian Tiger.

The Xaar colt, a Listed winner at Pontefract in October, made a bold bid for home under Darryll Holland before fading inside the distance to finish fourth.

Channon commented: “I’m delighted with the horse. He’s in good form as you can see and that was a good run giving a stone to the winner.

“He’s a class horse but he’s hard to place - the biggest problem we have is that he’s perhaps too highly rated.

“I’m not sure what we’ll do with him. I don’t know whether we’ll step him back up to Listed grade. There’s a possibility he could go for the Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot.”

GOING REPORT AFTER THE FIRST

Ryan Moore, rider of the winner Conduit, said the ground was “Good.”

Richard Hughes, jockey of second placed Ramona Chase, also reported the going to be “Good.”

Darryll Holland, rider of Siberian Tiger, said the ground was “Good. A little bit quicker than yesterday.”

Neil Callan, jockey of Cobo Bay, reported the going “Good.”

Mick Kinane, rider of Solent Ridge, thought the going “Beautiful.”

Greg Fairley, jockey of Fitzroy Crossing, reported the going to be “Good.”

Kerrin McEvoy, rider of Rochefort, said that the ground was “Good, though a little bit quicker.”

Kevin Ghunowa, jockey of Miss Bootylishes, thought the ground was “Good to firm.”
Richard Hills, jockey of Tajweed, described the going as “On the quick side of good.”

Tadgh O’Shea, jockey of Special Reserve, reported that the going was “Lovely.”