Saddle Up
Flat season under starter's orders
No sooner did the Jump season at Newbury draw to a close than the racecourse moved into full swing for the summer season on the Flat.
Kicking off the Flat season this weekend, there will be two days of fantastic racing on Friday and Saturday, featuring the Dubai Duty Free Stakes (Fred Darling) and the Bathwick Tyres Greenham Stakes on Saturday.
Traditionally, both races have proved reliable trials for the forthcoming classics, with the likes of Bosra Sham, Salsabil and Celtic Swing all winning at the highest level.
To help racegoers get in the summer mood, the racecourse will also be hosting a Pampering Zone in association with Festival Place in Basingstoke.
Racing and fashion go hand-in-hand so there will be experts giving racegoers free style advice, hair flair from Toni and Guy and mini-makeovers from Clarins.
You'll also be able to see live fashion displays from top high street brands, while men looking for that new summer suit can take advantage of a free measuring service from Slaters.
Looking further ahead, Newbury will be staging the highlight of the Flat season, the Group1 Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes on May 17.
Won last year by the popular mare Red Evie, the race always seems to produce a thrilling finish.
Recognised as one of Europe's premier mile races, it always attracts the very best middle distances colts and fillies.
This year could see the potentially exciting international challenge of New Zealand horse of the year Seachange, who has travelled to Europe for a summer campaign.
The peerless Brigadier Gerard won the race in 1972, but, more recently, Hawk Wing in 2003 and Russian Rhythm the following year have been most memorable.
As well as the great heritage surrounding the Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes, the day is also a fantastic day out, with a host of children's entertainment, including the return of the BBC RaW campaign's summer roadshow, complete with professional storyteller. Every family visiting the BBC RaW tent will be able to take away a free BBC children's storybook and other RaW goodies.
In all, Newbury will host 19 Flat fixtures this summer, offering a mixture of competitive handicaps, valuable Group and Listed contests and informative Maidens.
Lambourn trainer Clive Cox has targeted the Bathwick Tyres Greenham Stakes for exciting colt Beacon Lodge.
The son of Clodovil has already shown a liking for Newbury, having won two of his three races at the track.
'He's not the biggest colt, but he's all there," said his trainer. "If he pleases us at Newbury, we might go for the 2000 Guineas."
Following a quiet couple of seasons, the local challenge for the Classic races looks convincing. Paul Cole has four horses entered in the colts' classic, while Barry Hills has horses entered in both the 1000 and 2000 Guineas.
Trainers to follow this Flat season include Richard Hannon, John Gosden and Mick Channon, while jockeys Richard Hughes, Richard Hills and Frankie Dettori all have good strike rates.
For more information, go to www.newbury-racecourse.co.uk
2:41pm Thursday 17th April 2008
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