Briefs for 23rd December 2014

Two runs pondered for filly; Major sponsorship agreement; Stakes opportunity for apprentice.

Two runs pondered for filly

Group One filly Darci's Dream may make two appearances during the holiday carnival at Ellerslie.

The New Zealand 1000 Guineas runner-up will start in the Gr.2 Cambridge Stud Eight Classic on Boxing Day and her performance on Friday will determine her immediate future.

“She’ll possibly back up in the Royal Stakes after that,” trainer Jason Bridgman said.

“We gave Darci’s Dream and Rockfast ten days off after Riccarton. They’ve strengthened and developed further so good signs coming into summer racing.”

New Zealand 2000 Guineas runner-up Rockfast will run next in the Gr.2 The Sound Great Northern Guineas on New Year’s Day.

Major sponsorship agreement

British racing is celebrating a massive sponsorship deal with Qatar and the Goodwood festival.

In a 10-year partnership, more than £2 million will be invested into prize money across eight feature races during at the 2015 meeting, with an on-going commitment to increase funding.

The Gr.1 Sussex Stakes has a total prize fund of £1 million making it one of the most valuable mile races in the world while the Gr.1 Nassau Stakes is now worth £600,000.

In announcing the partnership, Lord March, owner of Goodwood, thanked both Qatar and QIPCO for their support of racing in Britain.

"I am delighted that Qatar has decided to play a significant part in Goodwood's position as one of the finest racing experiences in the world,” he said in a statement.

“Goodwood has for more than 200 years been about the best racing in the most English of settings, accessible to everyone.”

Stakes opportunity for apprentice

Anna Jones’ excellent association with Letmego will be put to a black type test at Ellerslie on Friday.

She has ridden the filly in all three of her wins and trainer Wane Hillis has remained loyal to the apprentice in Boxing Day’s Gr.2 Cambridge Stud Eight Carat Classic.

Jones has guided Letmego to recent consecutive wins at Ellerslie and the daughter of No Excuse Needed will now have her second crack at a mile. She was unplaced over the trip in last season’s Listed Champagne Stakes.