Racing: No Blue Monday for punters

Published on Saturday 4 July 2009 11:20

PUNTERS get a big bonus at Musselburgh on Monday when entry to the East Lothian track will be totally free.

The racecourse bookmakers and sponsors Blue Square have got together for the marketing move which has worked well for the racecourse in the past.

With entry usually costing 13, it means a fair saving for punters while the day will also promote and raise funds for Muirfield Riding for the Disabled Association.

The charity will stage a couple of special events to add to the day and racecourse commercial manager Sarah Montgomery said: "This is a nice way to raise the profile of one of East Lothian's most deserving charities and, at the same time, give something back to our regular racegoers.

"We are grateful for the support of Blue Square and our own on course bookmakers. With all the added attractions and the start of the school holidays, we are expecting a bumper crowd."

And Blue Tomato can get punters off on the right foot by taking the opening event – the Freddie Williams Selling Stakes (2.15pm) – named after a bookie who stood at Musselburgh for many years prior to his untimely death last year.

Blue Tomato certainly enjoys the seaside air at Musselburgh with three of his 13 career wins coming here. Two of those successes have been gained this term over this sharp five furlongs and they include a competitive affair here last month. Trainer Dandy Nicholls has a good record here too and the eight-year-old can give weight away all round.

Wee Charlie Castle can also defy top weight in the Blue Square Handicap (2.45pm) to register a first victory for Lanarkshire trainer Ian Semple.

The gelding has four career wins to his credit – all over distances between ten and twelve furlongs – and was trained at Newmarket by Greg Chung before moving north during the winter.

He has run well on both starts to date for Semple, finishing second at Hamilton and then a close third at Ayr last month and will be fitter now.

If Yorkshire trainer Tim Easterby sends Helieorbea across the border to contest the Blue Square Median Auction Maiden Stakes (3.15pm) then the three-year-old should be supported.

The gelding never ran as a juvenile but showed bags of promise when third on his debut at Beverley early last month and again ran well on that same track a fortnight later when he made a hot favourite from the Sir Michael Stoute yard knuckle down in the closing stages.

Argentine has won four of his last six races and is proving a real bargain for Dalkeith trainer James McShane since being bought for just 2,200 guineas earlier this year.

The latest success came at Hamilton just six days ago and he can defy a 6lb penalty which gives him a big weight to carry in the Blue Square le Garcon d'Or Handicap (3.45pm).

Joe Rowntree's Monday Musselburgh selections: 2.15 Blue Tomato; 2.45 Wee Charlie Castle; 3.15 Helieorbea; 3.45 Argentine.