High Definition Will Miss Lingfield Derby Trial

Undefeated group winner High Definition (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), favoured for the June 5 G1 Cazoo Derby, will miss an intended start in the Listed Lingfield Derby Trial on May 8, trainer Aidan O'Brien revealed. Owned by a Coolmore partnership with Westerberg, the G2 Beresford S. winner's bloodwork was off as of Wednesday evening.

“High Definition won't be going to Lingfield on Saturday–his bloods just weren't 100% this evening,” said O'Brien. I'm not sure where he might run. We'll just have to wait and see how things go over the coming days really. We'll have to play it by ear and see how he is when things settle down.”

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Saliva Testing Trial Under Way at UK Racecourses

A saliva testing trial, a screening method for cocaine and some other banned substances, is now under way at UK racecourses, the British Horseracing Authority announced on Wednesday.

Utilising oral swabs, the testing method results are provided near-instantly indicating whether substances are present in a rider's system above existing thresholds. If the trial is successful, British racing will become the first major sport in Britain to utilise on-the-day screening for banned substances through oral swabs. If a jockey does not test negative during the trial, they would be stood down from riding that day, which brings with it added benefits in safeguarding human and equine welfare on raceday.

At this time, all jockeys have tested negative-at Kempton on Monday and Lingfield on Tuesday. The pilot will continue for a two-month period. Saliva testing is highly cost effective and, if the pilot is successful, it is likely that there would be an increase in raceday testing, which would be further supported by an increased budget for more testing.

Brant Dunshea, Chief Regulatory Officer for the BHA, said, “Saliva testing is a progressive next step for our testing and surveillance of prohibited substances. In particular, the fact that it provides near-instant results means that we are now able to screen for the substance on the day of race.

“The fact that it is a more cost-effective methodology will also allow us to significantly ramp up our testing capacity–something that we are supporting further through the allocation of an enhanced testing budget. This should serve to act both as a deterrent to those who might consider using prohibited substances and provide reassurance to those who are competing on raceday.

“We are grateful to the Professional Jockeys Association for working alongside us in developing this methodology. It is important that it is assessed through a substantive trial period before we commit to it in the longer term, but this trial period is the final step in what has been an extensive process.”

“We see the introduction of saliva testing as a tremendously important development, and it is supported by our members,” said Paul Struthers, Chief Executive of the Professional Jockeys Association, who assisted with the development of the pilot.

“An effective deterrent against the use of prohibited substances is an essential piece of the jigsaw in terms of keeping our jockeys healthy and safe. The increased testing which this methodology will allow, alongside the ability for on-the-day screening, represents a significant step towards that ambition.”

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Rob Havlin Cops 21-Day Ban

Jockey Rob Havlin was banned for three weeks by the Lingfield stewards after finishing second aboard John and Thady Gosden's 16-1 second string Stowell (GB) (Zoffany {Ire}) on Wednesday evening. The Sky Sports Racing HD Virgin 535 Novice S. was won by fellow Gosden trainee Polling Day (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) with Frankie Dettori in the irons as the 2-9 crowd's pick. Havlin's mount met with some traffic throughout the race, but was making up ground while under a conservative ride to miss by a head. There was a stewards' inquiry into the finish as they felt Stowell had been given “an apparently tender hands and heels ride” entering the straight.

According to Havlin, his instructions were “to settle the colt and ride him to obtain his best possible position. [Stowell] was a fragile type who had a high knee action, and that John Gosden had instructed him to ride the colt hands and heels and not to use his whip.” From the jockey's point of view, he stated that the winner had idled in front and “therefore it appeared that Stowell had finished faster than he actually had.”

The stewards reported that the trainers' representative said they were satisfied with the ride and pleased with Stowell's debut effort. However, they ruled that Havlin had not taken all reasonable and permissible measures to ensure Stowell obtained his best placing possible. Havlin's ban lasts from May 5-8 and May 10-26.

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Son Of Pollyana Starts Out At Lingfield

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Today's Observations features a high-profile Tattersalls October Book 1 graduate.

3.55 Lingfield, Novice, £5,300, 3yo, 10f (AWT)
POLLING DAY (IRE) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) is one of two John Gosden-trained newcomers in the Godolphin silks and is the apparent first string with Robert Havlin on board. A 625,000gns purchase at the 2019 Tattersalls October Sale Book 1, the February-foaled bay is a son of the G2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein winner Pollyana (Ire) (Whipper) who was also third in the G1 Prix d'Ispahan.

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