Televised racing back on agenda

RACING/News: Talks that could lead to the return of live television coverage of Irish racing are due to take place between Horse Racing Ireland and broadcast company SIS on Monday.

The HRI chief executive Brian Kavanagh confirmed yesterday that he is set to meet with SIS officials and stressed the governing body's desire to have coverage of Irish racing back in place.

Pictures from Ireland, on the Sky digital platform, had been broadcast on the old Racing Channel which ceased to operate.

"Our commitment to a channel for Irish racing remains. It says so in our strategic plan but certain conditions have to be satisfied and we are working on elements of that," Kavanagh said yesterday.

The attheraces channel currently covers the majority of British racing and also American racing but speculation regarding the return of a Racing Channel-type alternative has been on-going.

Horse Racing Ireland has also looked into the chances of setting up its own dedicated channel but the possibility of a deal with SIS now looks a more likely option.

The situation in Britain is in a state of flux with the current contract between SIS and the Racecourse Association due to end at the end of 2004.

Recently, the Arena Leisure Group, whose six racecourses include the three all-weather tracks, sold its picture rights and a similar three-year deal was concluded by Northern Racing.

In racing news, Dermot Weld will decide today if Relaxed Gesture, runner up to Azamour in last Sunday's Beresford Stakes at the Curragh, will join his Breeders Cup team for Santa Anita in eight days time.

"He ran a good race in the Beresford and we are thinking of sending him for the Juvenile," Weld said.

The trainer already has the Fillies and Mares prospect Dimitrova on site at Santa Anita and Refuse To Bend will fly out for a date with the Mile at the weekend.

Dimitrova continued her build-up with a six furlong workout on the turf at Santa Anita on Wednesday under groom Joe Mulholland.

Weld has yet to score in the Breeders Cup series, with Brief Truce doing best with a third in the Mile to Lure at Gulfstream Park.

As expected Aidan O'Brien declared both Antonius Pius and Troubador for the Dewhurst Stakes tomorrow and left in Middlemarch among the 13 declared for the Champion Stakes.

Darryll Holland, who was left without a ride in the big race after the defection of Lucky Story, will now partner the Jamie Osborne-trained Milk It Mick.

Tremendously consistent all season, Milk It Mick gained a deserved success in Group Three company over course and distance on his latest start and is a 33 to 1 chance for the weekend.

"I was gutted Lucky Story was pulled out but of course I'm delighted to have picked up another good ride in the race at this late stage," said Holland.

"Jamie Osborne has done a great job with this horse keeping him on the go all season, and he looked better than ever last time when winning the Somerville Tattersall Stakes".

DEWHURST STAKES BETTING: (Ladbrokes): 9-4 Three Valleys, 11-4 Snow Ridge, 5-1 Duke Of Venice, 7-1 Antonius Pius, 8-1 Balmont, 10-1 Imperial Stride, 12-1 Haafhd, 20-1 Tashkil, 33-1 Bachelor Duke, Cape Fear, Milk It Mick, 66 Troubadour. (William Hill): 2-1 Three Valleys, 11-4 Snow Ridge, 5-1 Duke of Venice, 13-2 Antonius Pius, 9-1 Balmont, 10-1 Imperial Stride, 14-1 Haafhd, 20-1 Tashkil, 33-1 Cape Fear, Milk It Mick, 40-1 Bachelor Duke, 66-1 Troubadour.