International Round-up

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by six perfections

I read that Irridescence is pointed to the Arc.

Yeah, I saw that too..... good luck with Pride in the race.

Rajeem out till the Fall..... I didn't realize the reason she'd been ruled out in the first place (infected heel).

[my miss storm cat]

Oh yeah..... other news? IFFRAAJ to the BC.

[my miss storm cat]

Enforcer to the Juddmonte International, Hala Bek back in training, Hinterland runs on Saturday.....

[my miss storm cat]

From Telegraph UK.....

Les Arcs Japan trip under threat
By HOTSPUR (J A McGrath)


Les Arcs, Europe's top sprinter, is in danger of missing two major races in the Far East later this year because of uncertainty surrounding jockey John Egan's application for a licence in Japan and Hong Kong.

The six-year-old is due to contest the six-furlong Sprinters Stakes at Nakayama on Oct 1 but, according to sources, Egan is unlikely to be granted a licence by the Japan Racing Association despite the fact that he has met with officials and was told to formally apply earlier this year.

It is thought that Egan's status in Hong Kong has influenced the JRA into taking a negative stance, but last night he said he had contacted his lawyers to set in motion preliminary talks that could lead to the jockey clearing his name in Hong Kong.

In 2002, Egan was arrested by officers of the Independent Commission Against Corruption investigating alleged corruption in racing, but after answering bail and eventually being given his passport back, he left the former British Territory and has not returned.

"I had answered bail, and I told the ICAC to charge me or let me go. It was costing me a fortune in legal costs to defend myself, and I had no idea how long it (the investigation) would last," Egan explained.

"I have since been in touch with the Hong Kong Jockey Club asking for a letter to vouch that my riding has never been questioned there. I'm not banned in Hong Kong, and I was never banned, so I find it hard to understand the view the Japanese are taking.

"I'd still like to think I'd get my licence in Japan. I've done nothing wrong," he added.

Meanwhile Willie McKay, the owner of Les Arcs, is calling for clarification on whether Egan will be licensed, at the same time warning that if the jockey does not get his 'ticket' then Les Arcs will not be campaigning in the Far East.

The other big race on the gelding's agenda is the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint, over six furlongs this year, at Sha Tin on Dec 10.

"If John has not been banned anywhere, then he should be permitted to ride the horse," said McKay. "If he is not granted a licence for any reason, then we will change plans for Les Arcs, it's as simple as that. We would then aim him at the Betfred Sprint Cup (at Haydock on Sept 2), and next year we would look to taking the horse to Australia for the early legs of the Global Sprint Challenge.

"It will be disappointing if he has to miss two races later this year, as the Global Sprint Challenge offers a good prize and a lot of prestige, and he is doing well in the competition," McKay added.

Following his shock victory in the Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot and the July Cup at Newmarket, Les Arcs has established a big lead in the sprinting division of the Cartier Awards - he is 40 points clear of his nearest rival - and another big-race notch on the belt would make him almost unbeatable in the category.

[my miss storm cat]

My, but they're busy these days.....

From Sporting life...

HRA SET TO CHARGE JOCKEY
By PA Sport Staff

A leading jockey has been notified by the Horseracing Regulatory Authority (HRA) that he is to be charged in connection with an investigation into alleged race-fixing, according to the Racing Post.

The well-known rider is a top Flat jockey and the report claims the HRA's investigation also involves a further three Flat jockeys and a former racecourse bookmaker.

But it is believed the investigation does not relate to the City Of London probe which has seen charges brought against 11 people, including six-times champion Kieren Fallon and weighing room colleagues Fergal Lynch and Darren Williams.

[my miss storm cat]

Winston is the mystery man.....

[my miss storm cat]

From Racing Post.....

Winston to be charged
by Graham Green

ROBERT WINSTON was on Wednesday notified by the Horseracing Regulatory Authority that he is to be charged in the latest corruption case to rock British racing.

The investigation also involves three other less prominent Flat jockeys, one of whom is not currently riding, together with a former racecourse bookmaker based in the Midlands.

It is understood the HRA is planning to name the four jockeys early next week, having sent letters to either them or their legal representatives in the meantime.

It was only last month that Winston was released from bailwithout charge from the long-running investigation by City of London police into alleged race-fixing. It was as a result of that inquiry that 11 individuals, including Kieren Fallon, were charged with offences. It is understood that there is no police involvement in this matter.

Winston, who rode his 100th winner of the year at Pontefract on Wednesday, was ideally placed to win the jockeys’ championship last year until suffering an horrendous fall at Ayr which brought his campaign to a premature end and gifted the title to Jamie Spencer. During the time Winston was out he underwent several operations to rebuild his jaw.

It is understood that Winston has changed his lawyers and will now be represented by London-based Christopher Stewart-Moore, who also acts for Fallon.

The Racing Post, over the last two days, has spoken to each of the other three riders involved in the case, but all denied any knowledge of an investigation. One of the jockeys, not Winston, is believed to have made more than 200 calls to the bookmaker, who is thought to have regularly laid horses to lose on betting exchanges while also offering more generous odds than his rivals about the same horses when operating his racecourse pitch.

In June, jockeys BrianReilly and Dean Williams, together with bookmaker and former owner Owen Churchill, were informed they face a series of charges linked to the laying of ten horses in a 52-day period between December 2004 and February last year.

Both this, and the new case, bear similarities to the Gary Carter affair which resulted in the former champion apprentice and Group 1-winning rider being warned off for five years.

Winston, who was involved in a fall at Pontefract on Wednesday, could not be contacted for a comment on Wednesday night.

Winston gave up his rides at Haydock on Thursday after hurting his leg in a three-horse pile-up.

He is reported to be stiff and sore after being brought down on Packers Hill when Roclette fell about three furlongs out in the Polar Ford Van Centre Maiden Stakes.

However, Winston plans to make a return to action at Newmarket's evening meeting on Friday for three rides before taking part in the Shergar Cup at Ascot on Saturday.

"He'll be back tomorrow night, I should think," said his agent Richard Hale.

"He hurt his leg and he got a bang on the head. He's OK, but the reason he's not riding is because of his leg. It's a bit sore so he's having some physio."