2018 Flat Issue 14 - some cheer for Tony

Headlines

Bat Turns Rivals to Ashes in Goodwood Romp

Willie John stars at Doncaster

Mekong wins at Chelmsford

Report

We start at Goodwood last Friday where in the 5f Group 2 Battash (Cliff, Peej), went to post, raced in centre, switched left after 1 f , joined main group , chased leaders till led travelling strongly 2 out, ridden and quickend clear entering final furlong, ran on strongly, winning impressively by 4l. He gets 21.5 points.

At Chelmsford on Saturday in the 1m 6f handicap Mekong ( Tony), took his chance, tracked leader, closed going well over 3 out, ridden to lead 2 out, soon strongly pressed, ran on gamely inside last, winning by a neck . He gets 29.6 points.

At Doncaster in the 1m 2f novice stakes, Willie John ( Martin,) took his chance held up in touch, led over 1 out, pushed clear inside last winning easily by 5l. He haschanged hands and trainers recently, having been bought for a massive 1,900, 000 gns, and holds group 1 entries, which he will need to win to justify the out lay ! He gets 23.6 points.

The  John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                   August       Total

Cliff                 76.5                903.1

Neil                 00                    529.2

Tony                29.6                    508.4

Steve                24                    427.3

Bob                 00                      318.3

Martin           23.6                     298.5      

Cod                00                      234.2

Peej                76.5                   218.1

News

Alpha Centauri heads to Deauville on Sunday for the Prix Jacques Le Marois.

French Derby winner Study Of Man will step up his preparations for the Qipco Irish Champion Stakes by running at Deauville next week.

Trainer Pascal Bary has picked the Group Two Prix Guillaume d'Ornano as the ideal stepping stone towards the Leopardstown highlight next month.

Charlie Appleby provides the punter withrunning plans for some of his stable stars, including Nassau Stakes heroine Wild Illusion who looks to be heading for France.

Wild Illusion is likely to sidestep the Yorkshire Oaks later this month and instead be prepared for the Prix de l'Opera before a potential appearance at the Breeders' Cup.

One Appleby inmate who was denied his shot at Classic glory this season is the long-absent Ghaiyyath.

The Dubawi colt was considered a leading Derby contender during the winter after signing off his juvenile year with victory in the Autumn Stakes.

He has not yet raced as a three-year-old after suffering an early-season injury, but Appleby hopes he will return next month.

"He is in good order and we are looking towards giving him his first start in September. He is back in full work and pleasing us very nicely," said the Newmarket handler.

Clive Cox will give Heartache the chance to show her worth in the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York on August 24.

The Lambourn trainer has not lost any faith in the filly though she has gone nowhere scaling the heights of her exploits last season that included victories in the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot and Doncaster's Flying Childers Stakes

. Roaring Lion and Saxon Warrior, first and second in the Coral-Eclipse, are on course for a rematch in the Juddmonte International at York later this month.