[NoChanceToDance]

Also from RP

by Rodney Masters
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SHEIKH HAMDAN AL MAKTOUM'S racing manager Angus Gold has accused Haydock of irresponsible behaviour and misleading owners and trainers over the going for the £300,000 Betfred Sprint Cup.

Gold said that the British Horseracing Authority would receive a letter expressing the owner's anger over the condition of the ground on Saturday, while criticism of the accuracy of clerk of the course Kirkland Tellwright's going report and his watering policy continued from many trainers.

However, there was dissent from some of their colleagues, including Peter Chapple-Hyam, who was left without a runner due to ground conditions, while Tellwright again defended his actions.

Saturday's controversy came just 48 hours after Warwick was abandoned in controversial circumstances with overwatering also blamed.

Sheikh Hamdan, one of the world's most successful owners, paid £17,500 to supplement Per Incanto, his recent expensive purchase from Italy, to the Group 1 contest, but he was told by Richard Hills on theeve of the race that the colt had no chance of winning because the ground had been overwatered.

Gold said from Kentucky on Sunday night that both he and Sheikh Hamdan were bitterly disappointed that Haydock had watered again on Thursday, the day of the final declaration, after he had been assured the ground would be on the fast side.

“I'm never one to point blame, but I believe Haydock acted irresponsibly in this matter and we've been badly misled,” said Gold. “I shall express our view in a letter to the BHA.

“As Per Incanto had been supplemented, I'd expect Haydock would face a claim for compensation had the colt been owned by anyone than Sheikh Hamdan.

“However, the matter goes far beyond the supplementary issue because we're attempting tomake a stallion out of Per Incanto, and obviously a Group 1 like the Betfred Sprint Cup is vitally important in that respect.” After Per Incanto's British debut when he finished sixth on good to soft ground in the Hungerford Stakes, Hills advised connections to run him on fast ground in the future.

Gold added: “Haydock assured us the ground would be good to firm, so we declared to run at the 48-hour stage, but they'd decided to water that day.
Richard rode at Haydock on Friday and he rang us in Kentucky that night and said we'd no chance whatsoever because they'd overwatered, and we're wasting our time.

“I rang Kirkland Tellwright, and he said that was the opinion of our jockey, the ground was officially good to firm, good in places.Under the circumstances, I feel we've been badly misled by Haydock.”

Hughie Morrison, whose Sakhee's Secret was beaten favourite in the race, echoed Gold's comments and added: "In view of this I think there should be an official BHA inquiry into its representation of the facts, and that from now on all trainers' conversations with clerks should be taped."

Bryan Smart, whose Hellvelyn trailed in last of 14 on Saturday, also remained upset.

He said: “What were they playing at? Nobody in their right mind puts that amount of water on at this time of year.

“It was false ground, it was cutting up - for him to say it was good to firm, good in places and not change it was ridiculous.”

Mick Channon was also vociferous in his criticism of ground conditions, despite his Mutawaajid running a big race to finish fourth.

He said: "We knew on Friday the ground was on the soft side of good and it is absolutely ludicrous they have left it at good to firm, good in places."

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I'm really disappointed with Haydock Park at the moment. It was meant to be a really competitive race, but because of overwatering the ground it was raced on a slow surface. Most horses were unsuited by it.

As you can see from this article above, almost every trainer was left disappointed and upset.

This overwatering policy needs to stop, and it needs to stop now. Warwick had to be abandoned on Thursday because they had overwatered a part of the track that was flooded only about five weeks ago!! It amazes me how stupid these people can be.

They say they are trying to maintain safe ground, but overwatered ground is probably the worst ground from a safety point of view.

I don't want this to detract from Red Clubs win, he deserved it after all his good efforts this year, but no offence to him, even Barry Hills would be the first to admit that Red Clubs didn't really deserve to turn the form around with Sakhee's Secret. I was lucky that i bet Red Clubs, but there would have been thousands of punters out there who would have backed Sakhee's Secret because of the "good to firm" ground. If Haydock had been honest and said the ground was "good to soft", make no mistake, Sakhee's Secret would have been declared a non runner.

The slow ground inconvenienced so many horses, and Haydock should be punished severely for miss leading both punters and trainers.