Frankie Dettori calls in London Olympics drug-testing expert in race to ride in the Derby

Frankie Dettori has enlisted the help of a leading professor from the organisation responsible for drug-testing athletes at the London Olympics as he tries to persuade the British Horseracing Authority to allow him to return to the sport before the Derby on June 1.

Missed opportunity: Frankie Dettori is in a race against time as he attempts to repeat his Derby win on Authorized Photo: REUTERS

By Marcus Armytage

10:00PM BST 22 May 2013

Dettori had been due to make his comeback this week following a six-month ban for testing positive for cocaine, but it has been delayed because France Galop, the sport’s governing body across the Channel, say there is a “glitch” with a drug test Dettori took on April 22.

Until Wednesday, France Galop had refused to inform either the BHA or Dettori about what the issue was with the April 22 test. But on Wednesday night there finally seemed to have been some movement in the stalemate, and the BHA agreed, in principle, to reconvening its licensing committee for Dettori, although the meeting is dependent on the jockey and his solicitor, Christopher Stewart-Moore, furnishing the BHA with the information it requires from France Galop’s medical committee and specifically details of the “glitch” in his April 22 test. No date has yet been set.

Bart Cummings’ true ‘gentleman’ finally fires as Precedence chimes in to win Premier’s Cup

• by:Ben Dorries 
• From:The Sunday Mail (Qld) 
• May 25, 2013 10:00pm

Hugh Bowman wins aboard the Bart Cummings-trained Precedence. Picture: Peter WallisSource: The Sunday Mail (Qld)

BART Cummings might be back with a bang for another Brisbane Cup after his “gentleman” stayer Precedence enjoyed a powerful win in the Premier’s Cup (2200m) at Doomben yesterday.

The Cummings-trained Precedence ($16), ridden by Hugh Bowman, sustained a long run from near the tail of the field and the stable wasn’t surprised, always believing the seven-year-old was well-placed in the race.

Stable foreman Reg Fleming, representing Cummings, said the stayer had been much maligned in the past few years after winning just one race since 2010.

Sookie nabs victory on eve of Patinack sell-off

May 26, 2013Tony White

Winner’s wave: Tim Bell and Sookie at Doomben.Photo: Tertius Pickard

Glenlogan Park Stakes winner Sookie will go under the hammer at a brood mare dispersal sale of Patinack Farm stock on Wednesday.

Her trainer, John Thompson, said: ”I don’t know where she’ll end up.” The winner of the $150,00 group 3 event and about 470 other Patinack horses will be on the open market.

Thompson, besieged Nathan Tinkler’s No.1 Australian trainer, is playing a diplomatic straight bat when it comes to the future.

”At this stage I’d say the Tattersall’s Tiara is her main aim,” Thompson said. ”We’ll just head on with the program. We just have to wait to go through the sale to see how everything plays out – we’ve got to see what’s happening first.”

The $500,000 group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara (1400 metres) will be staged at Eagle Farm on June 22.

A secondary sale of Patinack stock will be held on June 7.

Thompson has said he intends to become a commercial trainer soon.

Spellbinding Magician takes another Classic for Galileo (25th May 2013)

The incredible Galileo was responsible for another Classic winner on Saturday when Magician (3c Galileo-Absolutelyfabulous, by Mozart) took the G1 Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh in fantastic style.

Joseph O’Brien bided his time aboard the G3 Dee Stakes winner before taking the lead two furlongs from home and finishing three and a half lengths clear of stablemate Gale Force Ten.

“The key to him is fast ground. He settles very well and has a great attitude,” O’Brien told irishracing.com.

Thoroughbred Village ‏@TBVillage5h

Magician (by Galileo) easily wins IRE 2000 Guineas. Family of Henrythenavigator and Dolphin Street (FR).

Cornelius Lysaght ‏@CorneliusRacing4h

#Curragh: Aidan O’Brien on 9th 2000G winner Magician: He’s by Galileo which makes him extra special…that kind of speed is very exciting

Pumper’s nifty thinking puts Zoustar on course to stylish finish

May 26, 2013Tony White

Red alert: Zoustar and Jim Cassidy charge to the line in the BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes. Photo: Tertius Pickard

The genius of Jim Cassidy made all the difference as Zoustar won the $250,000 BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes, 1350m, at Doomben on Saturday.

The champion Kiwi rider was able to box seat on the two-year-old after crossing from barrier 10. In contrast, Vilanova was forced to track wide and had to settle for a fine second.

Both horses are prepared by Sydney’s Chris Waller.

”Full credit to Jim Cassidy,” Waller said. ”He jumped from wide out and managed to get a trail.

”That was the difference between winning or running second.”

Waller loses treasured friend as Rangirangdoo breaks down

May 26, 2013Chris Roots Racing writer for The Sydney Morning Herald

Happier times: Chris Waller and Rangirangdoo in 2011.Photo: Steve Christo

A stellar day for Chris Waller ended in tears when his favourite galloper, Rangirangdoo, broke down in the Doomben 10,000 on Saturday.

Sydney’s premier trainer had won the Sires’ Produce Stakes with Zoustar and Grand Prix with Hawkspur before chalking up his 100th winner for Ingham Racing when She’s Clean won at Randwick.

Waller will have the favourites for two group 1s in a fortnight with the unbeaten Zoustar top of the market for the J.J. Atkins and Hawkspur Queensland Derby favourite.

That was all be forgotten when Rangirangdoo took a short stride at the 800 metres and had to be eased out of the race. The veteran had to be put down.

After the race, a Twitter account run by a fan of Rangirangdoo posted: ”I set up this account as a tribute to my favourite horse Rangirangdoo. Tragic end for him today and will be missed by all.

Spell at boot camp does the trick for Epaulette

Kerrin McEvoy: recommended keeping visor on Epaulette

PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

 BY AAP RACING/STEPHEN ROGERS9:40AM 25 MAY 2013

Report: Australia, Saturday

Doomben: Carlton Mid Doomben 10,000 (Group 1) 7f, turf, 2yo+

A stint of boot camp proved the catalyst for Epaulette’s win in a Doomben 10,000 marred by tragedy on Saturday.

Epaulette ($6) stormed home to win by two lengths from last year’s winner Sea Siren ($17) with Buffering ($7) a brave third, a short half-head away.

EPAULETTE LANDS DOOMBEN 10,000

Saturday, 25 May 2013: Star colt Epaulette has helped continue the three-year-old’s recent strangled hold over the Group 1 features when he rocketed home to salute in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000.

While many expected Rain Affair  to take up the running in the feature race it was surprisingly both Buffering  and Your Song who set up a cracking tempo in front.

Making the turn in the straight it appeared Buffering and Your Song were set to fight it out before both Sea Siren  and Epaulette starting working home strongly down the centre of track.

Reeling off one of the quickest closing sectionals of the day, Epaulette  picked up the leaders and put pay to them quite comfortably for a most impressive win.

“It was set up for a backmarker they went ridiculous in front,” Snowden said.

Three years between winners for Affandi

Craig Brennan 24/05/2013 ​Jockey Taib Affandi made a long awaited return to the winner’s circle when China Eagle took out the $35,000 Class 5 Div. 1 Stakes over 1700m on Friday. Coming from off the speed, China Eagle charged home to score by a length-and-a-half from By Law (Mohd Zaki) with Bukit Rose Wood (Muhd Firdaus) a length-and-a-quarter away third in a race restricted to the claiming riders only.Affandi, 29, had been winless since scoring aboard Famous Than U on March 26, 2010, just before he was forced to the sidelines through disqualification for one year. China Eagle (Taib Affandi) heads for home a convincing winner on Friday. He returned to race riding around 12 months ago and couldn’t hide his delight at landing the long overdue winner. “I’ve been waiting for this for a year,” said Affandi. “I’ve got to thank the trainers that have supported me in my comeback.” Affandi, who can claim 3kg, rides trackwork predominantly for China Eagle’s trainer Steven Lam and Mok Zhan Lun who was successful earlier in the day with Bourbon Goldman. AffaHendi said the strong pace was a help to his horse. Sudden Interest (Mohd Alif) got out with a long lead coming off the back-straight but was quickly gobbled up turning for home. “The pace was strong which suited my horse,” said Affandi. “I just had to wait for the straight as I knew my horse would run on. “It’s a great feeling to ride a winner and I hope that the trainers keep on supporting me.” Affandi had 56 rides during 2012 with the closest he came to success was riding two second placings while Friday’s victory was his 23rd ride for the 2013 season, having previously registered one second placing. China Eagle relished the drop in grade from Class 4 company on Friday. A five-year-old by Bel Esprit from Apalachicola, he landed his third win from 28 starts and took his prizemoney past the $100,000 for the Stanna Stable with the victory.

CHINA EAGLE ( L. BENLOMOND )

5yo B AUS G SH		By:	BEL ESPRIT (AUS)
MRA Brand Number:	A340	From:	APALACHICOLA (AUS)
Date Foaled:	30/08/2007	Owner:	STANNA STABLE
Rating:	43	Trainer:	LAM WAI YUEN STEVEN
		Total:	S$86,883.75 M$00.00

Start	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Unplaced
27	2	2	1	5	17

RACE 9: CLASS 5 (1) (CLAIMING RIDERS ONLY) – 1700M (POLYTRACK) TIME: 17:00 PRIZE MONEY: S$35000 Trackform Number: [683] Track: GOOD Win Time: 1:46.45 Race Time: 500M 0:31.26  700M 0:43.18  900M 0:55.33  1100M 1:08.06  1300M 1:21.59  1500M 1:34.20

T-CHART   |    SECTIONAL TIME   |    RACE VIDEO

Win Div H. No. Horse Name Gear Horse Rating H. Wt HCP Wt C. Wt Bar Jockey Trainer Running Position Pl Time LBW 55 2 CHINA EAGLE B 43 529 57 54 11 T AFFANDI S LAM 11-8-1 1 1:46.45 0 55 1 BY LAW B, TT 43 454 57 56 9 M ZAKI RB MARSH 8-9-2 2 1:46.72 1.5 25 5 BUKIT ROSE WOOD WK 41 453 56 53 10 APP M FIRDAUS HW TAN 3-2-3 3 1:46.92 2.8 115 6 MAX VELOCITY B, TT 41 464 56 53 4 APP Z ZURIMAN RB MARSH 6-3-4 4 1:47.20 4.6 34 3 IDEALISTIC MOMENT P, VIS 43 516 57 55 5 APP K A’ISISUHAIRI S BURRIDGE 5-4-5 5 1:47.54 6.6 21 9 WO AI NINN 40 480 55.5 53.5 6 APP T REHAIZAT D KOH 10-11-6 6 1:47.65 7.4 134 11 TOP HAPPINESS WK 34 514 52.5 51.5 8 HK CHENG L KHOO 4-5-7 7 1:47.80 8.4 48 4 INCREDIBLE HULK 43 461 57 55 2 M HAIRIN ZL MOK 12-12-8 8 1:48.25 11.2 92 10 FOREIGN EXCHANGE B 39 497 55 54 1 M KELLADY L LAXON 7-7-9 9 1:48.78 14.5 34 8 THINK AHEAD BP1, TT 40 561 55.5 53.5 3 APP R SHAFIQ M WALKER 9-10-10 10 1:48.78 14.6 226 13 SUDDEN INTEREST B, TT 28 432 50 48.5 12 APP S ALIF T KIESER 1-1-11 11 1:49.21 17.1 60 7 SUPER ZUCCA P 41 448 56 54 7 APP TH KOH L LAXON 2-6-12 12 1:49.34 17.9

Starspangled retired for second attempt at stud

Starspangledbanner: will stand at Rosemont Stud in Australia

PICTURE: Edward Whitaker/racingpostpix.com

 BY STUART RILEY8:34AM 24 MAY 2013

FOR the second time in an illustrious career that saw him win four Group 1s in Britain and Australia, Starspangledbanner  has been retired by Aidan O’Brien and Coolmore. He will return to Australia where he will stand at Rosemont Stud, where he was foaled and raised.

The best in Australia, winning two Group 1s – the Caulfield Guineas and the Oakleigh Plate – he was bought into by Michael Tabor, John Magnier and Derrick Smith and shipped to Ireland for a European campaign.

anthony mithen ‏@anthonymithen20h

Exciting news for Rosemont. Hopeful we can get STARSPANGLEDBANNER on track. Contact immediately for limited spots http://www.rosemontstud.com.au/?pageaction=news&articleid=73 …

Wins in the 2010 Golden Jubilee at Royal Ascot and in the July Cup on his second and third start hinted he may dominate the European sprinting scene as well, but they were to prove his only two wins for O’Brien.