Goodwood Racecourse

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Blyth Tait's Spectait Wins Totesport Mile
05/08/06

New Zealand’s eventing Olympic gold medallist Blyth Tait was at Glorious Goodwood today to watch a horse he bred, Spectait, win the feature event, the £150,000 totesport Mile in a new course record time of 1m 35.61s.

Spectait, a four-year-old gelded son of Spectrum, trained by Sir Mark Prescott and owned by Edward Belcher, was bred by Tait at his Chesterfields Stud near Auckland on New Zealand’s North Island. Three times second at Badminton, Britain’s premier three-day event, Tait was successful at Burghley and won the world championship twice before landing an Olympic gold on his most famous horse, Ready Teddy.

Sir Mark was not at Goodwood today but Belcher said: “I can barely speak, but it’s all down to Blyth and Abi my daughter. She shared a yard with Blyth when they were both eventing - he taught Abi everything and he’s taught me everything and he said you’ve got to buy this horse because it might win something.”

Asked when Sir Mark suggested the totesport mile as a target for Spectait, Belcher said: “Sir Mark never points me any direction. Sir Mark does exactly what Sir Mark wants to do and I’m extremely grateful that he does - he’s a wonderful trainer and a great friend now.”

Seb Sanders, who rode the winner, was partnering his third winner at Glorious Goodwood 2006. He said: “He’s proved what a good horse he can be today. The second horse took a fair bit of getting past, but when I gave my horse a crack he found a length quite quickly and the race was in control.

“That’s my last ride here this week and I’ve had a winner a day so I can’t complain. Goodwood’s been lucky for me in the past few years, but unfortunately I’ve never been champion jockey at the meeting. I’ll try again next year.”

Tait said: “I bought the mare [Shanghai Girl] and shipped her down to New Zealand, then Edward bought her foal. I arrived here yesterday and it was just luck this horse was running. I’m over in Europe for four weeks as manager of the New Zealand eventing team at the World Games in Germany at the end of the month. I don’t ride myself now - I’m past my sell-by-date and retired.”

Nayyir could make a quick return to Glorious Goodwood on Friday when he is set to carry topweight in a maximum field of 20 for the £150,000 totesport Mile Handicap.

Gerard Butler’s horse invariably runs well at the Sussex track and finished fourth, beaten less than half a length by runner-up Jedburgh, in the Betfair Cup on day one of the meeting.

The sponsors make Nayyir a 12-1 chance for their race, first run in 1987 and a black hole for all but one favourite in 19 runnings. Ancient World, who represented trainer Saeed Bin Suroor, was successful in 2004 when 9-2 market leader, and the poisoned chalice currently lies with James Fanshawe, trainer of ante-post favourite Sir Gerard.

Totesport representative Damian Walker, said: “Sir Gerard is our only ante-post loser at the moment, but those punters who backed him have been dealt a blow by the draw. Sir Gerard has been given the widest draw in stall one.

“With that in mind I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Spectait, drawn 16, or Dunelight, from stall 15, emerged as favourite on the day. A proven classy performer like Nayyir only adds interest to the race.”

Sir Gerard won the Britannia Handicap at Royal Ascot on his latest start, while the Sir Mark Prescott-trained Spectait finished fifth in a Group 3 contest at Lingfield - that form could receive a boost if the winner that day, Echo Of Light, performs well in today’s Cantor Spreadfair Sussex Stakes.

Dunelight, from Clive Cox’s stable, scored at Ascot on Friday and has been given a 3lb penalty. He was beaten just over eight lengths by Sir Gerard in the Britannia Handicap, but is now 7lb better off.

Totesport prices as of today, Wednesday, August 2, are: 5 Sir Gerard, 6 Dunelight, Spectait, 9 Eden Rock, 12 Nayyir, 14 Rohaani, 16 Langford, Wise Dennis, Paper Talk, 20 Capable Guest, Red Spell, Wavertree Warrior, Spirit Of France, 25 Kelucia, Prince Of Thebes, El Coto, Shot To Fame, 33 Kings Quay, My Paris, Hills Of Aran.

The £150,000 totesport Mile, run at Goodwood on Friday, August 4, the fourth day of the Glorious Goodwood Festival, has attracted a superb total of 86 horses, one more than in 2005, details of which were revealed on Wednesday, July 12, 2006.

First run in 1987, the competitive mile handicap for three-year-olds and upwards is the richest contest of its type in the racing calendar, with totesport increasing the total value of the race by 50 per cent since taking over sponsorship in 2005.

The Gerard Butler-trained Nayyir has been allotted top-weight of 9st 10lb. The eight-year-old has a fabulous record at Goodwood that includes back-to-back wins in the Group Two Betfair Cup in 2002 and 2003, and a close second to Soviet Song in the Group One Cantor Spreadfair Sussex Stakes in 2004, a race in which he was also fourth a year later.

The strongest hands numerically are held by Barry Hills and Mick Channon, who are responsible for five entries each. Hills, trainer of 1988 scorer Strike Force, has entered Dabbers Ridge (8st 11lb), Paper Talk (8st 9lb), Giganticus (8st 1lb), Muzher (7st 8lb) and Jihaaz (7st 5lb), while Channon, yet to take the prize, has Upper Hand (8st 9lb), Capable Guest (8st 7lb), South Cape (7st 11lb) Guest Connections (7st 9lb) and Music Note (7st 6lb) entered.

Rookie trainer Andrew Haynes is hoping that his smart filly Little Miss Gracie (8st 12lb) can give him the biggest win of his career in the totesport Mile ahead of a possible tilt at the Norwegian Derby.

The four-year-old ran her best race of the season when the four-length fourth to Pout in the Group Two Ridgewood Pearl Stakes over a mile at the Curragh on May 27, and subsequently finished second to Squaw Dance over the same trip at Hamilton on June 29.

Haynes revealed: “The plan is to go straight for the totesport Mile, that’s the aim, and she’s fine in herself after Hamilton.

“Her Irish form reads well. Royal Alchemist was only half a length in front of her at the Curragh, and I know she was used as a pacemaker in the Coral Eclipse, but she’s a good filly in her own right.”

The Marlborough handler continued: “It’s only our second season training and we have a good young team here, so it would be a great boost to go and run a big race at Goodwood.

“She’s entered in the Norwegian Derby at the end of August. We’re not scared to go places with her. She’s been to France twice and Ireland once, so she’s a good traveller and the option is there. It’s something we’ll look at after Goodwood.”

Little Miss Gracie’s only previous visit to Goodwood saw her finish a creditable fourth in the Listed EBF Fillies’ and Mares’ Conqueror Stakes, under four lengths behind Nantyglo, on May 6.

Haynes, who worked for Richard Hannon and Paul Burgoyne before taking out a licence in 2004, is hoping the grey filly can clinch a big win before she goes through the ring at the end of the season.

He said: “She could do with a little bit of cut in the ground ideally, but you’re limited to where you can run these horses that are just below top-class.

“All being well, at the end of the year she’ll go to Newmarket Sales and hopefully someone will buy her for breeding. She’s been wonderfully consistent - she’s run 17 times and 14 times been in the first four. She was my first ever winner and I only paid £9,000 for her, so she’s been a very good investment.”

Unshakable, trained by Bob Jones, made it third time lucky when defeating Crosspeace by a neck in last year’s renewal of totesport Mile, having finished no better than eighth in two previous attempts, and could bid for a repeat victory - something no horse has managed yet - having been allotted 8st 4lb.

Royal Hunt Cup winner Cesare (9st 2lb), the 4/1 favourite when a close third a year ago, is entered again along with stablemate and fellow Royal Ascot scorer Sir Gerard (8st 8lb), impressive when taking the Britannia Handicap. Both are trained by James Fanshawe, who landed the totesport Mile in 2000 with Persiano.

Godolphin, successful in 2004 with Ancient World, subsequently successful in the Group One Premio Vittorio di Capua at San Siro in Italy, has four entries, headed by Belenus with 9st 5lb, who has experience at Goodwood having finished third in the Listed Letheby & Christopher Predominate Stakes last season. Desert Destiny (9st 1lb), Desert Chief (8st 6lb) and Familiar Territory (8st 1lb) are other possible runners for the Maktoum family’s operation.

Middleham trainer Mark Johnston, who tasted success in 1997 with Fly To The Stars, later successful in the Group One Lockinge Stakes at Newbury for Godolphin, and 2001 with Riberac, could bid for a third win with Prince Of Light (9st 2lb), Royal Island (9st), Desert Realm (8st 2lb) and Joseph Henry (7st 10lb).

Hinterland, forth in the Royal Hunt Cup, then won the totescoop6 Handicap over a mile at Sandown on July 8 for trainer Michael Jarvis and has been allotted 9st 5lb. The trainer has also entered the useful St Andrews (9st 6lb), Notability (8st 13lb), and Minister Of State (7st 10lb).

Sir Michael Stoute has a trio of contenders this year, with one-time classic hope City Of Troy set to carry 8st 7lb alongside Rohaani (8st 13lb) and Regal Royale (8st 1lb). The Freemason Lodge handler is also looking for his third victory in the totesport Mile, having struck with Safawan (1989) and Lonesome Dude (1999).

Both Pride Of Nation (8st 10lb) and Minority Report (8st 6lb) disappointed for trainer Luca Cumani in the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot behind Cesare but could bid for compensation along with Akona Matata (8st 8lb), Pinpoint (8st 8lb), Forgery (8st 7lb), Red Spell (8st 6lb), Langford (8st 10lb), Tucker (8st 12lb), Stagelight (9st 4lb), Prince Of Thebes (8st 8lb), El Coto (8st 6lb), Another Bottle (8st 12lb), Blythe Knight (8st 13lb) and Shot To Fame (8st 4lb).

The United Arab Emirates supplies the one overseas-based entry in the shape of Spirit Of France (8st 8lb). Now in the care of Christian Wroe, the four-year-old gelding was formerly trained by Mark Johnston.

Goodwood’s Managing Director, Rod Fabricius, said: “The totesport Mile is a great spectacle and one of the highlights of the week at the Glorious Goodwood Festival.

“We are delighted at the number and quality of this year’s entry, which reflects the substantial boost in prize money on offer since totesport generously took over sponsorship last year.”

Damian Walker of sponsors totesport commented: “With the fantastic prize money on offer, the totesport Mile is always a tremendously competitive and exciting contest, and one of the hottest betting races all week at Glorious Goodwood.

“This year’s renewal looks like developing into a fascinating affair with a host of big names entered and top trainers represented.”

totesport MILE

Class 2, Heritage Handicap, £150,000 Total Prize Fund. 3.15pm, Goodwood, Friday, August 4, 2006. For 3yo+, 1m. Lowest weight: 7st 12lb; highest weight not less than 9st 10lb. Penalties: after July 8, a winner 3lb. Entries closed July 5, entries & weights revealed July 12 (86 entries). Penalties: after July 8, a winner 3lb; a winner of 2 races 5lb. Forfeit stage July 18, five-day confirmation stage July 29, final 48-hour declaration stage 10.00am, August 2.

Form Horse Age/Wt Owner Trainer
4-(1)(3)(4)14 NAYYIR 8-9-10 Abdulla Al Khalifa Gerard Butler
531-303 ST ANDREWS (IRE) 6-9-06 Team Havana Michael Jarvis
1-40150 ZERO TOLERANCE (IRE) 6-9-05 The Hornsey Warriors Racing Syndicate David Barron
110-141 HINTERLAND (IRE) 4-9-05 Sheikh Mohammed Michael Jarvis
1/322- BELENUS (IRE) 4-9-05 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
16/(1)(1)-06 STAGELIGHT (IRE) 4-9-04 Fieldspring Racing Jeremy Noseda
11(1)3-01 CESARE 5-9-02 Cheveley Park Stud James Fanshawe
31115-2 PRINCE OF LIGHT (IRE) 3-9-02 Claire Riordan and Kieran Coughlan Mark Johnston
0006-20 DESERT DESTINY 6-9-01 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
4(0)2(0)00 ROYAL ISLAND (IRE) 4-9-00 Markus Graff Mark Johnston
2112/54/- FANTASTIC VIEW (USA) 5-9-00 Malih Al Basti Jeremy Noseda
0-10340 BLYTHE KNIGHT (IRE) 6-8-13 Maxilead Limited John Quinn
06050-0 WISE DENNIS 4-8-13 Quadrillian Partnership Alan Jarvis
1114-(2)0 ROHAANI (USA) 4-8-13 Hamdan Al Maktoum Sir Michael Stoute
2120-60 NOTABILITY (IRE) 4-8-13 Sheikh Mohammed Michael Jarvis
(0)03530 MY PARIS 5-8-13 J D & Mrs M A Spensley Kevin Ryan
22(0)-442 LITTLE MISS GRACIE 4-8-12 Abacus Employment & Alicia Harden Andrew Haynes
0100-40 ANOTHER BOTTLE (IRE) 5-8-12 Sir Robert Ogden Roger Charlton
00-5030 TUCKER 4-8-12 Mrs A M Richards David Elsworth
410/3-62 MAMELA (GER) 5-8-12 Mrs J M Peel Luca Cumani
2-31130 DABBERS RIDGE (IRE) 4-8-11 Maurice Mogg Barry Hills
20-3050 LANGFORD 6-8-10 Marlborough Electronics Mark Tompkins
221-110 PRIDE OF NATION (IRE) 4-8-10 Equibreed SRL Luca Cumani
(1)(1)14-(1)2 SPECTAIT 4-8-09 Edward Belcher Sir Mark Prescott
40-4133 UPPER HAND 3-8-09 Wood Street Syndicate II Mick Channon
34-0501 PAPER TALK (USA) 4-8-09 Gainsborough Stud Barry Hills
4144-00 SEULEMENT (USA) 4-8-09 Mike Charlton & R Thompson Luca Cumani
4(1)-121 SIR GERARD 3-8-08 Rose-Anne Galligan James Fanshawe
40-(0)230 PRINCE OF THEBES (IRE) 5-8-08 Canisbay Bloodstock John Akehurst
500-(5)20 MARCHING SONG 4-8-08 The Queen Richard Hannon
1251-46 PINPOINT (IRE) 4-8-08 Full Circle Walter Swinburn
(1)(2)1453 AKONA MATATA (USA) 4-8-08 Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Clive Brittain
003400 KINGS QUAY 4-8-08 Marie Taylor John Quinn
130-235 SPIRIT OF FRANCE (IRE) 4-8-08 Rashed Farooq And Partners Christian Wroe UAE
0040-55 EDEN ROCK (IRE) 5-8-08 Gay Smith Pat Eddery
20103-0 SALINJA (USA) 4-8-07 Priscilla Graham Amanda Perrett
(1)30004 CAPABLE GUEST (IRE) 4-8-07 John Guest Mick Channon
114-04 CITY OF TROY 3-8-07 Michael Tabor, Sue Magnier & Derrick Smith Sir Michael Stoute
(1)/26-(4)10 FORGERY (IRE) 4-8-07 Highclere Thoroughbred Racing XXIII Gerard Butler
1-00440 EL COTO 6-8-06 R J H Ltd & J P Hames Kevin Ryan
1-(2)0600 KAMANDA LAUGH 5-8-06 Jamie Newell Racing Ltd Kevin Ryan
1221-10 MINORITY REPORT 6-8-06 G Shiel Luca Cumani
4(2)4200 RED SPELL (IRE) 5-8-06 Mrs John Lee Richard Hannon
26/11- DESERT CHIEF 4-8-06 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
243410 FLIPANDO (IRE) 5-8-05 Mrs J Hazell David Barron
00214-0 UNSHAKABLE (IRE) 7-8-04 Unshakable Partnership Bob Jones
1-(0)2421 KELUCIA (IRE) 5-8-04 B Scanlon & F Brady Ralph Beckett
002530 SHOT TO FAME (USA) 7-8-04 Middleham Park Racing VII David Nicholls
314/0- HILLS OF ARAN 4-8-04 David Hughes Mike Evans and PartnersW Keith Goldsworthy
012161 WAVERTREE WARRIOR (IRE) 4-8-03 Wavertree Racing Partnership C Nick Littmoden
600-200 DESERT REALM (IRE) 3-8-02 Gainsborough Stud Mark Johnston
4-50033 AUDIENCE 6-8-02 Canisbay Bloodstock John Akehurst
(1)-(1)4(2)2 EASY AIR 3-8-01 Gainsborough Stud Ed Dunlop
00-0010 HUMBLE OPINION 4-8-01 Paul & Jenny Green Brian Meehan
231-310 DUNELIGHT (IRE) 3-8-01 Mr and Mrs P Hargreaves Clive Cox
000-452 MUTAWAFFER 5-8-01 P D Smith Holdings Ltd Richard Fahey
61-30 GIGANTICUS (USA) 3-8-01 DM James,Cavendish Inv Ltd, Matthew Green Barry Hills
132- FAMILIAR TERRITORY 3-8-01 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
10-0205 REGAL ROYALE 3-8-01 Cheveley Park Stud Sir Michael Stoute
2-(1)(2)(1)30 KALANKARI (IRE) 3-8-00 Dubai Thoroughbred Racing Andrew Balding
656100 TRAFALGAR SQUARE 4-8-00 Canisbay Bloodstock John Akehurst
(1)40 LENINGRAD (IRE) 3-8-00 Philip Green & Michael Tabor Michael Bell
(0)(4)(1)121 WATERSIDE (IRE) 7-8-00 Nigel Shields Gary Moore
2(2)5025 GRANSTON (IRE) 5-8-00 The Four Players Partnership James Bethell
0601(0)-1 NAMROUD (USA) 7-7-13 The Yorkshire Lancashire Alliance Richard Fahey
1(4)3-2(3)0 DARK ISLANDER (IRE) 3-7-13 D M Kerr John Hills
35-1050 SOUTH CAPE 3-7-11 Heart of the South Racing Mick Channon
60-(2)210 PLUM PUDDING (IRE) 3-7-11 Hyde Sporting Promotions Limited Richard Hannon
001016 ROYAL DIGNITARY (USA) 6-7-11 Middleham Park Racing XXXVI David Nicholls
2311 MINISTER OF STATE 3-7-10 Cheveley Park Stud Michael Jarvis
400-000 JOSEPH HENRY 4-7-10 John Brown & Megan Dennis Mark Johnston
40-0000 STAGBURY HILL (USA) 4-7-10 Nick Hubbard and Partners John Hills
0-22110 GREY BOY (GER) 5-7-10 K & J Richard Fahey
050312 REGENT'S SECRET (USA) 6-7-10 Mrs M Craig Jim Goldie
50(2)212- CROSS MY MIND 4-7-10 Dynamic Duo Tom Keddy
0-214 SMART ENOUGH 3-7-10 East Wind Racing Ltd Mikael Magnusson
016-550 CHAMPIONS GALLERY 3-7-09 Champions Gallery David Elsworth
040005 GUEST CONNECTIONS 3-7-09 John Guest Mick Channon
(2)(2)-(1)(2)(0)0 PORTERS (USA) 3-7-08 Perle O'Rourke Richard Hannon
02-41 MUZHER (IRE) 3-7-08 Hamdan Al Maktoum Barry Hills
0221-10 MUSIC NOTE (IRE) 3-7-06 Jaber Abdullah Mick Channon
0000-00 LAGO D'ORTA (IRE) 6-7-06 Chalfont Foodhalls Ltd David Nicholls
66-4210 JIHAAZ (IRE) 3-7-05 Hamdan Al Maktoum Barry Hills
50-0225 MIDDLEMARCH (IRE) 6-6-11 W M Johnstone Jim Goldie
(0)20344 SELECTIVE 7-6-11 Aramis Racing Syndicate Tony Carroll
5641(5)1 SAWWAAH (IRE) 9-6-07 Fayzad Thoroughbred Limited David Nicholls

86 entries
1 UAE-trained