racing_news/

Callaghan Seeking Perfect Send-Off on Champions’ Day at Newmarket 13/10/09

Simon Callaghan is hoping Dubawi Heights could give him a first Group winner of 2009 before he heads to America to start a new chapter in his training career.

Callaghan, who is in his second season with a licence, is gearing up to trade Hamilton Road in Newmarket for Santa Anita in California.

But before he departs he still intends to have plenty of runners on the home front, including Dubawi Heights in the seven-furlong Lotus Evora Rockfel Stakes at The Rowley Mile this Saturday, Champions’ Day.

The daughter of Dubawi has yet to win in five starts but has proved a massive money-spinner for connections, earning over £237,000 already this season.

She was third in the Lowther Stakes but has since finished runner up in both the Watership Down Stud Sales race at Ascot and, earlier this month, in the Tattersalls Timeform Fillies’ 800 at Newmarket.

Now Callaghan has fingers crossed that he can prepare to sign off his stint in Newmarket with a prestigious Group Two victory on home soil.

“That would be fantastic,” he agreed. “We will work Dubawi Heights on Wednesday and if we are happy with her the plan is to go ahead and run on Saturday.

“I would just prefer a bit of ease in the ground, although she acquitted herself well on a quick surface there the other day.

“She has proved she handles the track and is effective over the distance. She has got a fantastic attitude and has a progressive profile.

“She has come out of her last race well and we would be looking for her to be competitive and hope she’d go there with an each-way chance. She is a filly who in the long term we will probably take to California.”

Trainer Mark Johnston is likely to be among Callaghan’s opposition as he has Marie De Medici pencilled in for the contest.

The daughter of Medicean won a seven-furlong Leicester maiden by two lengths on October 6.

Johnston said: “She won very impressively on her last start, the third of her career, breaking the track record at Leicester.

“She has come out of the race well and we were thinking of stepping her up in trip but this looks attractive so there is every chance we will go to Newmarket on Saturday.”

It appears as if Johnston will be busy ahead of the totesport.com Cesarewitch, the second leg of the Autumn Double on the Rowley Mile.

The Middleham-based Scot could have three in the renowned heritage handicap.

He said: “With Yes Mr President we could be doing with some rain. I’m actually not used to asking for some cut but it would make a difference to this horse.

“Having said that, both Alanbrooke and Keenes Day would be suited by fast ground.”

GROUND STILL GOOD AT NEWMARKET

MICHAEL PROSSER, Director of Racing at Newmarket, this afternoon kept the official going description at 'good' after walking the course and finding it in excellent condition.

He said: "The reading on the going stick for the home straight is 7.7 which, in Newmarket terms is spot-on for good ground.

"Between now and racing on Friday there are two weak fronts which each bring the possibility of a light shower. They are tonight into Wednesday morning and also on Friday morning.

"It would be ideal if we received a millimetre or two. If we don't get any rain, then I would consider strategically applying three to four millimetres of water on Thursday to specific areas. But I would have to be as sure as I can be in such circumstances that we wouldn't be getting any rain.

"Outlining the forecast up until the conclusion of racing on Champions' Day, we are expected to stay mainly dry with only light winds.

"I am very happy with the ground as it is at present and, don't forget, Saturday will see us using a fresh strip that has not been raced on since May."