Glorious Goodwood

racing news/

Marsh Looking for Aspects Of Love in Blue Square Nassau Stakes 21/07/09

Owner and racing manager Simon Marsh could have split loyalties in this year’s £200,000 Group One Blue Square Nassau Stakes (3.10pm), with both Dar Re Mi and Moneycantbuymelove being considered for the prestigious 10-furlong contest, highlight of racing on the fifth and final day of Glorious Goodwood on Saturday, August 1.

As manager of Lord and Lady Lloyd-Webber’s Watership Down Stud, Marsh has overseen the home-bred Dar Re Mi’s rise from maiden company to success at the highest level, culminating in a game victory in the 10-furlong Group One Audi Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh on June 27. Marsh is also joint-owner of the progressive Moneycantbuymelove, who could also line up in the Blue Square Nassau Stakes.

The John Gosden-trained Dar Re Mi landed the Group Three Prix Minerve at Deauville in August last year before going on to be second to Lush Lashes in the Group One Yorkshire Oaks at Newmarket just eight days later.

She was also second in the Group One Prix Vermeille at Longchamp in September, when she found French wonder filly and subsequent Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe heroine Zarkava two lengths too strong.

Simon Marsh commented: “Dar Re Mi is a possibility for the Blue Square Nassau Stakes and we will take a look nearer the time before deciding whether to go for the race.

“It was fantastic that she won a Group One last time out and it was great that she did it over a mile and a quarter as well. We have a pretty big autumn campaign planned for her, with races like the Yorkshire Oaks, the Prix Vermeille, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe or the Prix de l’Opera as potential targets. There are a lot of Group One races for older fillies in the autumn calendar these days.

“She just runs true to form in all of her races - she’s gutsy, she has never been out of the first three in her life and she doesn’t mind heavy or fast ground. She’s won her Group One over 10 furlongs but I think that a mile and a half is her optimum trip and will be stepping her back up in trip later in the season.”

Marsh may also be represented in the Blue Square Nassau Stakes as an owner with the progressive Moneycantbuymelove, whom he owns in partnership with New England Stud owner Peter Stanley, breeder Nick Wright, bloodstock agent Hugo Lascelles and Lordship Stud’s owner Trevor Harris.

The three-year-old, trained by Michael Bell, lost her maiden tag in emphatic style when taking the Listed Height Of Fashion Stakes over the same distance as the Blue Square Nassau Stakes at Goodwood on May 21, and followed that effort with another impressive performance, coming with a storming late run to land the mile Listed Sandringham Handicap at Royal Ascot on June 17.

Marsh continued: “I believe that the intended target for Moneycantbuymelove is also the Blue Square Nassau Stakes. We decided to miss the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket because we felt that she wasn’t quite ready for it - she had a hard race at Ascot and we wanted to give her a little break.

“She won over 10 furlongs at Goodwood in May and so the Blue Square Nassau Stakes seemed the obvious target. I don’t know if she is a Group One filly but she’s certainly going in the right direction and we will hopefully find out next Saturday.

“If both fillies lined up at Goodwood, then I certainly wouldn’t favour Moneycantbuymelove and it would be absolutely fantastic if either of them won. At the moment, I am probably more fond of Dar Re Mi because she means more to me.”

Dar Re Mi is currently 9/2 second favourite for the Blue Square Nassau Stakes with the race sponsor, while Moneycantbuymelove is rated as an 8/1 chance. Blue Square make Oaks runner-up Midday their 4/1 market leader, with last season’s champion juvenile filly Rainbow View and Coronation Stakes second Reggane both quoted at 6/1.

Other notable contenders include Irish Group Two winner Katiyra (7/1), the Cheveley Park Stud-owned pair of Heaven Sent (8/1) and Spacious (8/1), who were second and third respectively in the Falmouth Stakes, and three-time Group One scorer Lush Lashes (12/1), who was beaten a head in last year’s Blue Square Nassau Stakes.

Blue Square Nassau Stakes - Sponsor’s Prices
4/1 Midday, 9/2 Dar Re Mi, 6/1 Rainbow View, 6/1 Reggane, 7/1 Katiyra, 8/1 Spacious, 8/1 Moneycantbuymelove, 8/1 Heaven Sent, 12/1 Lush Lashes, 12/1 Barshiba, 16/1 Mad About You, 16/1 Perfect Truth, 20/1 Saphira’s Fire, 20/1 High Heeled

Others on request, Each-way 1/4 1,2,3

COURSE IN FANTASTIC CONDITION

Seamus Buckley, Clerk of the Course at Goodwood, today reported the ground at the West Sussex venue to be in “fantastic condition” ahead of Glorious Goodwood 2009, which commences on Tuesday, Wednesday 28, and runs through to Saturday, August 1.

Buckley reported at 3.00pm today: “I have just walked the course and am describing the ground as good. The GoingStick reading is currently 8.4 and that is indicative of current conditions.

“The course is in fantastic condition and I am absolutely delighted with it. There is a great covering of grass and it walks extremely well.

“Over the past few weeks the weather has been kind to us and it will be great to start Glorious Goodwood on natural ground. We do not anticipate having to water the course before racing begins on Tuesday, July 28.

“We are all set fair for what promises to be five wonderful days of racing.”

Six-day confirmations for the opening day of Glorious Goodwood will be made tomorrow.

Glorious Goodwood, which runs from Tuesday, July 28, to Saturday, August 1, inclusive, features five days of outstanding racing action at one of the world’s most beautiful racecourses. With tickets selling well for all five days, racegoers are advised to book in advance to avoid disappointment.

To book tickets please call 01243 755022 and to reserve restaurant places call 01243 755027 or alternatively visit the website www.goodwood.com and book online.