All-Weather Championships begins with intriguing qualifier

3.10 Newcastle
32Red Casino Conditions Stakes | 6f | 2yo | ATR

With the launch of the 2017-18 All-Weather Championships at Newcastle on Tuesday comes the first opportunity to secure a spot at Lingfield on Good Friday and an intriguing field is set to line up to bid to grab the first opportunity.

The championships is beginning away from Lingfield for the first time and many of those contesting the £25,000 feature are hoping to get their horses qualified for the £1 million Easter bonanza before giving them a winter break.

Both Lake Volta and It Dont Come Easy were placed in Listed contests when last seen, while Beatbox Rhythm is one of four last-time-out winners in the line-up.

Hugo Palmer's Encrypted is beginning to look like an all-weather specialist, with Yogi's Girl and Shaya the two fillies in the field.

And of course, having had a six-timer at Punchestown and a winner in New Jersey over the weekend, Gordon Elliott is represented, with River Boyne to be ridden by British Champion Sprint-winning jockey Robert Winston.

What they say

Karl Burke, trainer of Beatbox Rhythm
He came out of the York race very well and we're very happy with him. He goes there with a good chance, I think, although it's a competitive race. He looks progressive and he's got a date at the sales next week, so if he can win this it will only help his value.

Hugo Palmer, trainer of Encrypted
He's always shown me plenty at home but only came close to showing the public what he's showing me on the all-weather, so I hope he'll continue to do that. I'd like him to win a fast-track qualifier because I think the three-year-old race on Good Friday would be a very obvious target for him.

Charlie Johnston, assistant to Mark Johnston, trainer of Lake Volta
Lake Volta has run well in Listed and Group 3 company on his last three starts. I think the drop back down to six furlongs will be a help to him, especially the stiff six at Newcastle, and hopefully, he can get the automatic berth and then we can freshen him up for Finals Day. I think he has a very good chance and should go close.

Richard Fahey, trainer of It Dont Come Easy
He's had a long season but we're trying to get him qualified for the final before he has a holiday. This is a one hit wonder, if it doesn't happen for him, he'll be on his holidays.

David O'Meara, trainer of Three Saints Bay
Hopefully we can get him qualified and I think he'll be fine on the all-weather. He's been very well since Redcar and I'm happy with him.

David Evans, trainer of Yogi's Girl
The idea is to give her a winter campaign and aim for the big one, although she's better over five furlongs than she is six but we'll see how it goes.

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