Events / Andrew Hughes / 21 September 2008 /

Andrew Hughes takes you through the next seven days in the sport.

The Polytrack revolution gathers pace! There are those who still insist that sand is for camels, but that one liner is becoming more tired with every passing season. The latest development is the announcement that Kempton is to convert one of its better races into a qualifier for one of the USA's most prestigious contests. A Class Two conditions race run in March is to be upgraded to the Kentucky Derby Stakes, with a $150,000 dollar purse and a further $100,000 bonus to persuade connections to take up the automatic entry into the famous race that is on offer to the winner.

Whilst this race is something of a novelty, it is no longer a surprise to see Listed or minor Group races take place on the all-weather and with American racetracks are turning to Polytrack in increasing numbers, there may well be more Transatlantic traffic and an increase in the number of Pattern contests. How long before we have a Group One run on the Polytrack? Or perhaps even one of the Classics?

Wednesday 24th September

There's a quiet beginning to proceedings in the next seven days, with the first top quality action on show at Goodwood in the middle of the week. The Foundation Stakes is a Listed contest run over ten furlongs that attracts a small field of mixed ability, but is a useful way to limber up your punting muscles ahead of the sterner tests to come.

Thursday 25th September

It's all gone a bit quiet over the Channel as our Gallic friends prepare themselves for the Arc, but there is a decent race at Maison-Lafitte today. La Coupe de Maisons-Lafitte is a Group Three run over ten furlongs and is worth having a look at.

Friday 26th September

Off to Berkshire again for the first day of the Ascot Festival, featuring some modest contests, but dominated by the spectacle of the £250,000 Watership Down Stud Sales Race in which you can expect an enormous field battling for the substantial prize money. The perennial question of draw bias will rear its head again on the straight course and there will be clues aplenty for tomorrow's big contests.

And after Great Leighs got a mention last week, this time it is Dundalk elbowing its way into consideration with a couple of interesting races. The Listed Diamond Stakes is a decent contest, run over ten furlongs whilst there is also a Premier Nursery Handicap over six for those of you who have been following the two-year-old scene.

Saturday 27th September

Ascot dominates the day's racing and betting action with three solid Group races and a card that is fascinating throughout. The Queen Elizabeth II Stakes is a fine contest and a rattling good spectacle as some classy milers tussle for honours. The winner of this race is also guaranteed a place in the Breeder's Cup Mile later this year and there are further Breeders Cup berths up for grabs for the winners of the big two-year-old races. The Royal Lodge Stakes over a mile for colts and geldings has a mixed history as a Classic trial, but with a place in the Breeders Cup Juvenile on offer, there are going to be some talented horses taking on the mile course. Expect a similarly keenly fought contest in the Meon Valley Fillies Mile, the winner of which will be eligible for the Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.

And besides the battles for Group honours and tickets to America, there are some fascinating contests on the rest of the card, including the Challenge Cup, a Heritage Handicap with a huge field charging down the straight seven furlongs and the Listed Fasig Tipton Rosemary Stakes for fillies and mares.

Away from Ascot, a solid looking meeting at Haydock features the Lester Piggott Handicap, a Class Two race over five furlongs that should be keenly contested and in Ireland, at Gowran Park, there is a decent meeting including the ten furlong Denny Cordell Fillies Stakes with a mix of top class and improving sorts and another Premier Nursery Handicap over a mile.

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