Askar Tau – Cesarewitch favorite
The Cesarewitch Handicap was first known as the Tsesarevich, named after the Crown Prince of Russia, in honor of his visit to the United Kingdom, and was inaugurated in 1839. Today, the Cesarewitch Handicap is still run at the Newmarket Racecourse, over a grueling distance of just over two miles, and will take place on Saturday, 18 October 2008. It is a flat horse racing event for three year old horses and over, and the course is fairly straight, due to the distance of the race. This year, one of the favorites for this popular race, is Askar Tau.
Trainer Marcus Tregoning has done a marvelous job with Askar Tau. Jockey, Martin Dwyer, has noted remarkable changes in the three year old, and believes that he and Askar Tau will be the team to beat on Saturday. Askar Tau has enjoyed an extremely successful year, winning quite a few major racing events, including the Great Leighs Handicap and Breheny Handicap, of which both races are run over a two mile distance.
Dwyer has seen the changes in Askar Tau from last year, and is excited to partner with this talented horse for the Cesarewitch Handicap. There is usually a massive field of contenders that participate in this event, but Dwyer remains confident and hopeful saying: “It’s a hard race as there are always a lot of runners so you need a bit of luck in running but, hopefully, I’m on a horse with a little bit of class and he’s improving. If things go right on the day, they’ve all got me to beat.”
Another contender, also getting ready to shine on Saturday, is the five year old mare, Missoula. Trainer, Suzy Smith, was very happy with her performance in the Northumberland Plate and after resting her for three months, she feels that Missoula will be a formidable competitor in Saturday’s race. With so many fantastic horses in the line-up for the fourth racing event on the race card, spectators at Newmarket Racecourse will be in for a real horse racing treat. With plenty of action and superb racing, it is going to be an exciting weekend in the United Kingdom.