Ascot signal that a ‘few tweaks may be needed’ after closing day of the Royal meeting provided an unattractive betting cardExpect another reshuffle in the Royal Ascot line-up next year. Last weekend’s Saturday card was particularly badly affected by the changes made for this year’s meeting and the indications from Ascot are that a rethink is likely before the 2019 fixture.Nick Smith, Ascot’s director of racing and communications, has already admitted to the Racing Post that “a few tweaks may be needed” following the disquiet expressed about the closing day card this year, and with Hong Kong punters joining in the fun next year to create an ‘Ascot World Pool’ it is unlikely the course will want to put on...
The logic reveals itself only slowly but Royal Ascot’s ability to host the best thoroughbred racing in the world comes because of its baffling dress code not in spite of itOne of the charms of Royal Ascot is that, uniquely among British race meetings, the races are never sponsored. And thus their traditional and often picturesque names – the Gold Cup, the Royal Hunt Cup, the King’s Stand Stakes – continue uncluttered by the commands of commerce. Related: Alpha Centauri stamps her class on Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot Related: Ascot to modernise British racing by publishing timing data Continue reading...
The Melbourne Cup-winning jockey faces a disciplinary hearing in Australia over a positive test for an appetite suppressantWithin the next 24 hours, Michelle Payne faces a hearing in Australia over a positive test, reported this morning, for an appetite suppressant. The Melbourne Cup-winning jockey gave the test on 11 June, just over a fortnight ago, took part at Royal Ascot last week and was told of the positive test on Friday. It is not known whether she intends to contest the positive finding. Related: Racing news and tips: Pat Smullen backs Cracksman to take revenge Continue reading...
Connections of British horses are having a bit of a moan about Wesley Ward’s youngsters getting some Ascot practiceJust as Royal Ascot has an official car (the Porsche Cayenne, since you ask), next week’s race-meeting now also has an official build-up controversy. You’d have thought it might be about medication, since we have so many US runners this time, but instead the subject is whether America’s Wesley Ward was given an unfair advantage when the track allowed him to work his two-year-olds up the straight on Wednesday. Related: Record number of runners in American raiding party at Royal Ascot Continue reading...