Doncaster’s meeting under threat

The final Group 1 of the 2019 season, the Vertem Futurity Stakes (1m) for two-year-olds, is under threat with Doncaster racecourse having to pass an inspection at 7.30am today for racing to go ahead.

With torrential rain expected to have hit in the last 24 hours, Newbury will inspect at 8am to see if its card can be staged. There are Flat meetings at Leopardstown in Ireland and Chelmsford (AW) today.

Cheltenham’s second day of the Showcase meeting takes place with seven races on the card including the Masterson Holdings Hurdle (2m½f), where exciting prospects Nelson River, Quel Destin and Torpillo face each other. Kelso also stages a jumps card today.

Over at Saint-Cloud, the Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud takes centre stage with nine horses bidding for the spoils. Brian Meehan sends over Sound Of Cannons, a son of Nathaniel, while Andrew Balding saddles Via De Vega in the 1m2f contest.

Phoenix Thoroughbred lands first Australian Group 1

Loving Gaby’s victory in the Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley on Friday provided rising operation Phoenix Thoroughbred with its first Group 1 success in Australia.

Ridden prominently by Craig Williams, the filly proved too good for her rivals and unleashed her trademark turn of foot to score by three-quarters of a length. Her victory also saw her become the first filly to strike in the Manikato Stakes.

Eight Rings to stand at Coolmore America

Grade 1 winner Eight Rings will stand at Coolmore America upon the completion of his racing career after the operation secured breeding rights in the two-year-old.

Trained by Bob Baffert, Eight Rings broke his maiden at the first time of asking and was last seen in September, scooting to a six-length victory in the Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes at Santa Anita. The son of Empire Maker will contest next week’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

Ashford Stud Manager Dermot Ryan said: “Eight Rings was awesome in the American Pharoah Stakes and looks to be a colt with a huge future. We’re delighted he’s going to end up in Ashford.”