Tag Archive for: Alice Haynes

Haynes seeking Round Tower boost for Asadna

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Alice Haynes has nominated the Heider Family Stables Round Tower Stakes as Asadna’s next target as he tries to get back on the winning track.

The son of Mehmas burst onto the scene when storming to a 12-length success at Ripon on debut and as a result was widely considered a future star in the making.

However, he had his momentum checked when struggling to land a blow in the Coventry Stakes, after which the youngster was switched from George Boughey to the Cadland Cottage hander.

Asadna was dropped to Listed level for his first start for Haynes and although only third to Archie Watson’s Action Point in Newbury’s Rose Bowl Stakes, his trainer was satisfied with the performance and having skipped a run at the Qatar Goodwood Festival on account of conditions, she now prepares to saddle the talented colt at the Curragh.

“He is going to the Round Tower at the Curragh on Saturday,” said Haynes.

“The Richmond was soft ground and I couldn’t run him on that. Hopefully it will stay top of the ground weather over there and that’s his restarting point. We’ve obviously got some nice entries after that but that’s where we’re heading first.

“He ran well enough off a pace that wasn’t really there (at Newbury). Hollie (Doyle) got it easy in front and set her own fractions and sprinted from there. We learnt he needs a fast gallop to aim off and that’s what he’ll best pick up off.”

Nashwa and Blue Rose Cen on course for Nassau clash

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Nine horse remain in contention for the Group One Qatar Nassau Stakes at Goodwood on Thursday, where there is the prospect of a fascinating clash between French star Blue Rose Cen and multiple top-level winner Nashwa.

The meeting of the last two winners of the Prix de Diane is the highlight on another stellar day’s racing on the Sussex Downs.

Trainer Christopher Head’s dual Classic winner Blue Rose Cen has been aimed at the 10-furlong event since producing another eye-catching display – a seventh victory in nine starts – at Chantilly last month.

Nashwa has taken time to come to hand this term, but she will bid to defend her Nassau crown on the back of a scintillating performance over a mile in the Falmouth at Newmarket.

John and Thady Gosden could be double-handed with Running Lion joining her.

The Roger Varian-trained Al Husn, who defeated Nashwa in a Group Three on the all-weather at Newcastle, could take her on again, while Aidan O’Brien is bidding for a fifth win in the race and has three possible runners, headed by Ribblesdale winner Warm Heart.

Oaks-placed Caernarfon, trained by Jack Channon, is also among those remaining along with Joseph O’Brien’s Above The Curve.

There are 26 entries for the Group Two Markel Richmond Stakes, including the classy Jasour, who took the July Stakes at Newmarket in fine style on his third start for Clive Cox.

Richard Hannon bids to land the six-furlong event for a third time, relying on eyecatching Newbury novice winner Baheer.

Karl Burke’s Kylian is on a hat-trick after Listed success at Sandown last time out, while O’Brien has five entries, including the Railway Stakes runner-up and third, Unquestionable and His Majesty.

Alice Haynes looks poised to run Asadna, who was third to Action Point when favourite for Newbury’s Listed Rose Bowl last weekend.

She said: “All good with Asadna – we have given him the Richmond entry today and all roads are leading there.

“Obviously I think the ground there will be testing next week either way, but everyone is in that same situation.

“Part of the problem is he needs faster ground. A faster pace will suit him, they went no pace at Newbury at all. Hollie (Doyle) got a lead and they all stacked up and sprinted. He will appreciate a fast pace to aim at.

“Long term, he’s in the Gimcrack and there are plenty of options for him going forward.”

Adelaide River chased home stablemate Auguste Rodin in the Irish Derby
Adelaide River chased home stablemate Auguste Rodin in the Irish Derby (Brian Lawless/PA)

A possible 10 three-year-olds will line up in the Group Three John Pearce Racing Gordon Stakes.

They include Irish Derby and Grand Prix de Paris runner-up Adelaide River and last season’s Criterium International second Espionage, who could both represent O’Brien’s Ballydoyle yard.

Godolphin-owned duo Bold Act (Charlie Appleby) and Chesspiece (Simon and Ed Crisford), King Edward VII Stakes third Artistic Star (Ralph Beckett) and the King’s Royal Ascot winner Desert Hero, who won the King George V Stakes for trainer William Haggas, are other potential participants in the mile-and-a-half contest.

Asadna takes Bowl test on debut for Alice Haynes

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Alice Haynes is excited to see Asadna make his stable debut in the Ire-Incentive – It Pays To Buy Irish Rose Bowl Stakes at Newbury.

The Mehmas colt created a huge impression when storming to a 12-length success on his introduction at Ripon and as a result was widely considered Britain’s chief hope for last month’s Coventry Stakes.

But Asadna could finish only ninth at Royal Ascot, with owner Sheikh Abdullah Almalek Alsabah subsequently removing the youngster from George Boughey’s yard and switching him to the care of fellow Newmarket-based trainer Haynes.

The Cadland Cottage handler has been pleased with what she has seen from the two-year-old in his homework and has booked three-time champion jockey Oisin Murphy for Friday’s Listed feature.

Haynes said: “It’s obviously a bigger and more competitive renewal of the Rose Bowl than has been the case in previous years, but the ground should suit as long as they don’t get the rain and he seems to be in good order at home.

“We’ll learn a lot about him and we can go from there. We haven’t had him for that long, but I’m happy with what I’ve seen.

“He came to hand quite nicely and did a nice piece of work on Tuesday that I was quite happy with.”

Asadna’s rivals include the Ralph Beckett-trained Palmar Bay, who was last seen edging out subsequent July Stakes scorer Jasour at Salisbury in May.

Jasour’s trainer Clive Cox and owners Al Mohamediya Racing are also represented, with Shagraan stepping up in class following an impressive Windsor success.

“I was very pleased with him at Windsor and he’s come back from the race well. This is a big step up in company, but I hope he’s ready to take that move,” said Cox.

“It’s great we’ve got a very good bunch of two-year-olds that are all moving forwards nicely. If we can keep our 31 per cent strike-rate up, I’d be delighted.”

Richard Hannon saddles Dapper Valley in the Rose Bowl
Richard Hannon saddles Dapper Valley in the Rose Bowl (Mike Egerton/PA)

Richard Hannon’s Dapper Valley looked the part on his debut at Newbury, but needs to bounce back from a disappointing effort in Sandown’s National Stakes.

Balon D’Or has run four good races for Hugo Palmer and steps down in grade after finishing fourth in a French Group Three on his most recent appearance.

Marco Botti’s once-raced Windsor victor Kinnigoli Kid also features in a competitive contest.

Asadna pleasing new trainer Alice Haynes, with France one possible option

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Asadna could head to France for his first run for Alice Haynes after he produced a solid piece of work over six furlongs at Newmarket on Saturday morning.

A runaway Ripon winner on debut, he was subsequently ninth of 20 to River Tiber in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The Mehmas colt, owned by Sheikh Abdullah Almalek Alsabah, then joined Haynes from fellow Newmarket trainer George Boughey last month.

Haynes is just getting to know him and has given him an entry in the Rose Bowl Stakes at Newbury next weekend.

However, he is more likely to head to France.

Haynes said: “Asadna has done two pieces of work for us now, the first on the Watered Gallop yesterday. I liked what I saw. We gave him a Rose Bowl entry today.

“It will be a case of seeing what the ground does – he needs top of the ground, so we could be going for a Group Three in France at the end of the month, or Goodwood.

“We will see what the ground does. He worked six furlongs under Kieren Fallon this morning.

“I think the Rose Bowl could be an option, although it comes slightly quickly. He will do another piece on Tuesday and see, but the main thing is he definitely needs good to firm ground, which I’m not sure we will (get) – it keeps raining, doesn’t it?”

Promising juvenile Asadna makes Alice Haynes switch

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Asadna, who disappointed when well supported for last week’s Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, has been switched to the care of Alice Haynes.

Previously trained by George Boughey, Asadna made quite a splash when winning by 12 lengths in a Ripon novice heat in May but could not follow that up when only ninth in the Coventry, beaten six lengths by River Tiber.

Owner Sheikh Abdullah Almalek Alsabah has subsequently decided to send the Mehmas colt to Haynes, who enjoyed notable juvenile success with Lady Hollywood last term and has sent out 26 winners so far in 2023.

She said: “I’m very fortunate, it’s lovely to be sent a horse who looks to have so much potential.

“It’s great to get the call up. Obviously it’s not too nice for George and trainers do like to stick together, but he was going to another yard and it’s great for the team that he is joining us.

“It’s a bit too early to say what we might do, we’ll just let him settle in at the yard and see from there.”

Haynes also confirmed the transfer of Danger Alert from Boughey’s yard, with the three-year-old having been withdrawn from the Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes on veterinary advice at Ascot on Friday.

The three-times winner may not be in Haynes’ care too long though as he is entered at Tattersalls sales next month.

She added: “We also have Danger Alert who is entered in the July sale but will run before.”

Golden Arrow pointing towards Sandown before Royal Ascot

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Golden Arrow, who created a highly favourable impression when scoring on debut at Hamilton on Sunday, will head to the Listed National Stakes at Sandown on Thursday week.

Alice Haynes is eyeing Royal Ascot following the Havana Grey juvenile’s three-quarter-length victory in the five-furlong Sky Bet Sunday Series EBF Maiden Stakes, and is keen to give the colt more experience beforehand.

Having made smooth headway against four rivals under Kieran O’Neill, Golden Arrow led a furlong out and kept on strongly at the first time of asking for owners Al Mohamediya Racing.

“It was a fantastic performance,” said Haynes. “He is all speed and will sharpen up a lot from that.

“The front two had the experience and I liked how he was behind the bridle the whole way and then came through at the end.

“Although he was a breeze-up horse, I quite like my two-year-olds to be behind the bridle, so they are not doing too much, and then to finish like that.”

The in-form Newmarket handler, who started training in 2021, is keen to head to the Royal meeting with the colt, who cost £200,000 at the breeze-ups.

“He will have an entry in the National Stakes before Royal Ascot, as I think it is important he goes and gets a bit more valid experience. He will probably be Norfolk Stakes-bound,” added Haynes.

“Thursday week will come around quickly and hopefully the ground will dry out a bit more. We might get some summer ground soon. We look forward to seeing ‘good’ in the ground.

“He is an exciting prospect and it is good for the owners, who are new with me.

“He was one of the more expensive ones, but Havana Greys are a real a pleasure to train.”

Haynes to aim higher with Nottingham victor Fix You

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Alice Haynes’ Fix You could have bigger days ahead following a bloodless victory at Nottingham.

The Newmarket-based handler shot to prominence with her stewardship of Lady Hollywood last season and she seems to have found another talented sprinter in a similar mould for owners Amo Racing.

The daughter of Night Of Thunder made a winning debut on soft ground at Thirsk as a two-year-old and although not seen after finishing down the field in a French Listed contest second time, the 15-8 favourite built on her reappearance at Kempton to double her tally in the Racing TV Profits Returned To Racing Handicap.

Fix You will now go searching for black type while conditions remain suitable, with Navan’s Committed Stakes (April 22) and a six-furlong assignment on the all-weather at Chelmsford mooted as possible options.

“She needed her run at Kempton and I thought she would win, but the six probably just caught her out being a bit ring rusty,” said Haynes. “I thought 77 was a great mark for her and this was a great opportunity to get her in.

“It’s the ground that makes all the difference to her, she loves the soft ground and the dig in it.

“There’s a race in Ireland we could go to at the end of next week, a stakes race chasing the soft ground and trying to get a bit of black type early. She’s a nice filly, she’s exciting for the owner who is a good supporter of our team.

“We could try to look for something over five in England if the rain stays or we could go for the Chelmer Fillies’ Stakes at Chelmsford (April 27) over six. That is a Listed race and we will try to get her some black type as we think she is well capable of that.

“She’s nearly as straightforward as Lady Hollywood, they are two cracking fillies. We are always trying to find another one like her.”

John and Thady Gosden’s Derby entrant Torito continued his education by breaking his maiden in testing conditions in the Bet At racingtv.com Novice Stakes.

Sent off the 1-4 favourite following the late withdrawal of Roger Varian’s Exoplanet, the Kingman colt bettered his encouraging debut third in a Newbury maiden in the hands of Robert Havlin.

“His family have enjoyed that ground, but it is a tough first run of the season coming back and having to go through that,” said Havlin.

Torito ridden by Robert Havlin wins the Bet At racingtv.com Novice Stakes at Nottingham Racecourse
Torito ridden by Robert Havlin wins the Bet At racingtv.com Novice Stakes at Nottingham Racecourse (Joe Giddens/PA)

“He probably got left two and a half (furlongs) out, which was far enough out for him. Certainly the last half a furlong he got tired and he ran nearly a similar race last year at Newbury – came there cruising and then just paddled the last half a furlong.

“Although it looks as if he didn’t hit the line that strong there, maybe he is one who does want stepping up in trip and ride him a bit more patiently on better ground.”

Havlin was also on the scoresheet aboard Dean Ivory’s Molly Valentine in the racingtv.com Fillies’ Handicap, while Jack Channon’s Sera Dawn confirmed course form over Fair Wind to open her account in the Darley EBF Novice Stakes.

There was also a winner on the card for local handler Roy Bowring who sent out Nine Elms (7-1) to land the Watch On Racing TV Handicap, while Marco Ghiani got his new job as retained rider to owner Peter Harris off to the perfect start when guiding Eyetrap (13-2) to victory in the Every Race Live On Racing TV Handicap.

“He couldn’t have done any better,” said Harris about Ghiani’s winning start.

“I have a great relationship with Adam Kirby, and still have, but I needed somebody to ride the fillies as well as the colts, and he won some good races as an apprentice.”

Handler Jane Chapple Hyam was also delighted to see the association get off to a victorious start and is ambitiously dreaming of a 2024 Melbourne Cup tilt with the Ulysses colt.

She said: “We knew we would get the distance, the trip was no problem. We were a little concerned about the heavy in places but he is bred to stay and maybe that is why he did it.

“I see him running in mile-and-a-half, mile-six handicaps, maybe one day next year a Melbourne Cup – the dream’s there isn’t it.”