TDN RISING STAR PETER MARTINS TARGETS DONCASTER

Earle Mack’s PETER MARTINS (Johannesburg) is set to race at the Doncaster St Leger Festival, trainer Jeremy Noseda announced yesterday. Despite his planned racecourse gallop at Newmarket being canceled yesterday, his five-length Newmarket debut keeps PETER MARTINS on course for alternative targets in the second week of September. “My plan had been to work him here today, but after all the rain the ground would have been softer than I’d have liked,” his conditioner explained. “We will train him at home, see how he is and look at the Sept. 11 Group 2 Champagne S. or the conditions race on the Friday and make the next step from there. He’s in great order, I’m delighted with how he’s gone after his first race and his attitude is good.

The same day Denali graduate YASMEENA, a 2yo filly by Mr. Greeley out of La Cucaracha won a maiden race at Bath for Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum and trainer Barry Hills. Bred by Colts Neck Stable YASMEENA was third over this trip on debut at Sandown Aug. 5, was sent off the 7-4 favorite and raced prominently from the gates. In front before halfway, the $330,000 Keeneland September yearling was mainly hand ridden to record an easy 1 ¾-length success from Silca Conegliano.