May 6 2010, 11:16 AM
QUOTE
For Michael Owen, the opening day of Chester’s May meeting was a bit like the final of the Carling Cup — a mixture of success and frustration.
At Wembley, Owen scored as Manchester United beat Aston Villa but limped off with a hamstring injury that ended his season. On Wednesday, he celebrated one for his team as Julius Geezer, trained by Tom Dascombe at his Manor House Stables in Cheshire, made all to win the Lily Agnes Stakes.
But his own Chester Cup hope Nemo Spirit ran as if he had four strained hamstrings, tailing off as Richard Hughes won by a head on David Pipe’s 7-1 favourite Mamlook. The day also reflected the ups and downs of Dascombe’s first full season as Owen’s resident trainer.
All smiles: Michael Owen (left) and his trainer Tom Dascombe on the gallops
He had told anyone who asked that 12-1 shot Julius Geezer held out little hope compared to stablemate Coconut Ice, the eventual fifth. Like many of his string, Julius Geezer had been afflicted by a bacterial infection.
Dascombe, uncharacteristically slow to hit form and saddling his first juvenile winner of the season, said: ‘It is a bacterial infection that we are struggling to shift. We have 60 two-year-olds. They are not right and that wipes out 70 per cent of the string.’
Racing and football share similar rumour mills. Dascombe had already picked up murmurs that he was facing the same battles that bedevilled his predecessor Nicky Vaughan at Manor House, gossip fuelled no doubt by the jealous wish to see Owen burn his money.
Surveying the scene: Owen has begun buying fillies with potential to make broodmares
But the striker, who watched Wednesday’s action alongside his manager Sir Alex Ferguson, insists that now with the vital assistance of partner Andrew Black, the co-founder of Betfair, a Premier League racing outfit will emerge at the 160-acre former farm.
New gallops have been installed and a swimming pool, veterinary centre and additional stables will follow.
Owen said: ‘I’d invested a lot of money and it was going to be difficult to keep on going. Racing is certainly a money pit and that is before you start buying horses.
‘We want to make this place the best we can. We don’t want to be second-rate. You need the best horses, the best facilities and the best trainer.
Hot tip: Manchester United's John O'Shea (above right) and Nani (above left) struck gold at Chester, while Owen Hargreaves (below right) and Sir Alex Ferguson (below centre) also enjoyed their day at the races
‘We are not in a position to compete with the top stables yet, but we are confident we will be in time. We will provide Tom with the best facilities. You just need healthy horses and a bit of luck.’
Sacking Vaughan last summer may have been seen as ruthless, but Owen believes the stable was simply evolving.
He said: ‘It’s like building a football team. You can’t just go and get Sir Alex Ferguson as manager if you own Chester City. You have to start and build from somewhere.
‘I used to have horses trained with John Gosden when he was at Manton and always said that I’d like to create a mini-Manton when I got old. It started off as a joke but that is what I want to do.’
Owen’s ambition is also to breed winners and he has begun buying fillies with potential to make broodmares.
An unnamed Cadeaux Genereux filly is a start this season. She is in training alongside three juveniles — Cuban Spirit, Cuban Quality and Cuban Piece — who race for eight United team-mates, including Paul Scholes and Gary Neville.
Ultimately, Owen wants to produce Classic candidates such as Gosden’s Gertrude Bell, 25-1 for the Oaks after her win in the Cheshire version on Wednesday.
Chester Cup winner Mamlook, meanwhile, might have his sights set further afield after jockey Richard Hughes confirmed he is a perfect contender for the Melbourne Cup.
It was the Irishman who recommended running him in in Wednesday’s race after the pair finished second in last year’s Cesarewitch.
At Wembley, Owen scored as Manchester United beat Aston Villa but limped off with a hamstring injury that ended his season. On Wednesday, he celebrated one for his team as Julius Geezer, trained by Tom Dascombe at his Manor House Stables in Cheshire, made all to win the Lily Agnes Stakes.
But his own Chester Cup hope Nemo Spirit ran as if he had four strained hamstrings, tailing off as Richard Hughes won by a head on David Pipe’s 7-1 favourite Mamlook. The day also reflected the ups and downs of Dascombe’s first full season as Owen’s resident trainer.
All smiles: Michael Owen (left) and his trainer Tom Dascombe on the gallops
He had told anyone who asked that 12-1 shot Julius Geezer held out little hope compared to stablemate Coconut Ice, the eventual fifth. Like many of his string, Julius Geezer had been afflicted by a bacterial infection.
Dascombe, uncharacteristically slow to hit form and saddling his first juvenile winner of the season, said: ‘It is a bacterial infection that we are struggling to shift. We have 60 two-year-olds. They are not right and that wipes out 70 per cent of the string.’
Racing and football share similar rumour mills. Dascombe had already picked up murmurs that he was facing the same battles that bedevilled his predecessor Nicky Vaughan at Manor House, gossip fuelled no doubt by the jealous wish to see Owen burn his money.
Surveying the scene: Owen has begun buying fillies with potential to make broodmares
But the striker, who watched Wednesday’s action alongside his manager Sir Alex Ferguson, insists that now with the vital assistance of partner Andrew Black, the co-founder of Betfair, a Premier League racing outfit will emerge at the 160-acre former farm.
New gallops have been installed and a swimming pool, veterinary centre and additional stables will follow.
Owen said: ‘I’d invested a lot of money and it was going to be difficult to keep on going. Racing is certainly a money pit and that is before you start buying horses.
‘We want to make this place the best we can. We don’t want to be second-rate. You need the best horses, the best facilities and the best trainer.
Hot tip: Manchester United's John O'Shea (above right) and Nani (above left) struck gold at Chester, while Owen Hargreaves (below right) and Sir Alex Ferguson (below centre) also enjoyed their day at the races
‘We are not in a position to compete with the top stables yet, but we are confident we will be in time. We will provide Tom with the best facilities. You just need healthy horses and a bit of luck.’
Sacking Vaughan last summer may have been seen as ruthless, but Owen believes the stable was simply evolving.
He said: ‘It’s like building a football team. You can’t just go and get Sir Alex Ferguson as manager if you own Chester City. You have to start and build from somewhere.
‘I used to have horses trained with John Gosden when he was at Manton and always said that I’d like to create a mini-Manton when I got old. It started off as a joke but that is what I want to do.’
Owen’s ambition is also to breed winners and he has begun buying fillies with potential to make broodmares.
An unnamed Cadeaux Genereux filly is a start this season. She is in training alongside three juveniles — Cuban Spirit, Cuban Quality and Cuban Piece — who race for eight United team-mates, including Paul Scholes and Gary Neville.
Ultimately, Owen wants to produce Classic candidates such as Gosden’s Gertrude Bell, 25-1 for the Oaks after her win in the Cheshire version on Wednesday.
Chester Cup winner Mamlook, meanwhile, might have his sights set further afield after jockey Richard Hughes confirmed he is a perfect contender for the Melbourne Cup.
It was the Irishman who recommended running him in in Wednesday’s race after the pair finished second in last year’s Cesarewitch.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/racing/ar...-cylinders.html
England captain Rio Ferdinand leads star-studded turn out for Tony Carr testimonial at West Ham
QUOTE
Look who's back: Rio Ferdinand gives Manchester United a timely boost on his return to West Ham
Rio Ferdinand gave Manchester United and England a major boost after he continued his comeback from back and groin injuries to play in Tony Carr's star-studded testimonial.
Ferdinand, who has started only 11 Barclays Premier League games this season, was granted permission by Sir Alex Ferguson to travel to London and pay respect to the West Ham academy director responsible for so much of his early development at Upton Park.
Ferdinand partnered his brother Anton in West Ham's clash with the Academy All Stars and looked untroubled as he came through the opening 28 minutes before being substituted.
Carr said: 'Rio has been struggling with his back for a couple of weeks but I give Sir Alex credit.
'I got a call from Rio and he said he was getting on a train with permission to play by Fergie.'
It was a night to remember for Carr, who has given 37 years of service to the club and brought through seven current England players.
Although they were not allowed to play, Frank Lampard (left), John Terry (inset with Lampard) and Joe Cole were all back in a claret and blue shirt but were given mixed receptions when they were introduced to the 13,000 crowd at the start of the game.
Michael Carrick was unable to attend due to his wife giving birth to their second child last weekend, while Glen Johnson had a club function and Jermain Defoe was in action for Tottenham against Manchester City.
Gianfranco Zola's side won the game 5-1, with former Hammers hero Paolo Di Canio voted man of the match with the fans in awe of the Italian on his return to Upton Park.
MATCH FACTS
Academy All-Stars: Stech (John 84), Newton (Purches 46), A Ferdinand (Forbes 49), R Ferdinand (Ward 28, Edwards 71), Ridgewell (Richardson 46, Hall 77), Slater (Hodges 34, Williamson 64), McCann (Stokes 46), Holland, Britton (Reid 46),
Eastwood (Ephraim 34), Di Canio (Alexander 58)
West Ham United: Green (Kurucz 45), Spector (Spence 46), Gabbidon (Da Costa 46), Tomkins (Di Canio 69), Daprela (Brown 46), Stanislas (Sears 32), Parker (Kovac 46), Noble (Lee 46), Boa Morte (Stokes 46), Franco (Montano 46), Diamanti (G Zola 69, Daprela 89)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...l-West-Ham.html
This post has been edited by alien2003: May 6 2010, 11:29 AM
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well let's just hope he gets more luck.
Carrick out of ordinary.
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