Sunday 31 May – Nottingham
Eleven runners went to post for this 5F Class 5 maiden. The field included four fillies and six newcomers.
Marco Botti’s newcomer, DHAHMAAN, had been available at double figure prices in some places last night and opened up on course at 6/1. He was then backed in to start as the 3/1 second favourite. Tucked in behind the leaders and going reasonably well, there was a slight doubt as to whether a gap might appear over a furlong out (traded at 12 in running) but he was pulled left and once in the clear, despite showing signs of greenness, ran on to lead close home and win by ¾ length. Costing 35000 euros as a foal, he was resold at a Breeze Up sale for 58000 guineas. He is the first foal from a mare who, despite being placed on six occasions, remained a maiden after 13 starts. Marco Botti commented: ‘He is a smart 2 year old and has lots to like about him on that performance.’
AJAYA (William Haggas) was also making his debut. Sent off the 2/1 favourite, he was always up with the pace before leading a furlong out. He cost 150000 guineas as a yearling and is the first foal from an unraced mare.
KYLLUKEY had shaped with promise when fourth on debut at Ascot (1½ lengths behind KING OF ROOKS) but could only finish third next time out when an odds on favourite for a Class 4 maiden at Salisbury. He had every chance today but finished a further four lengths away in third place. The Stewards noted that KYLLUKEY had stumbled leaving the stalls and hung right at the same time as SANDAHL had lugged left, both causing interference to CAPTAIN GERALD. After viewing a recording of the incident they were satisfied that it neither involved a riding offence nor improved either KYLLUKEY or SANDAHL’s placing. Jason Hart, the rider of LADY JOANNA VASSA reported that the filly hung left.
Monday 1 June – Leicester
A 6F Class 5 maiden for which there were nine runners, comprising of four colts and five fillies; the non runner was LEITRIM TRAVELLER (cut leg). Two of the fillies had raced previously, the rest of the field were newcomers.
The race was pretty level throughout but approaching the furlong pole, ILLEGALLY BLONDE and BLACKLISTER went clear of the remainder. Inside the last, BLACKLISTER went half a length up and it looked as though Mick Channon’s colt had done enough. However yards from the line, he jinked right to give ILLEGALLY BLONDE a chance, which she took and won by a short head. As a result, ILLEGALLY BLONDE traded at a high of 100 in the run, whilst BLACKLISTER traded at a low of 1.01. Jamie Osborne’s filly cost 14000 guineas as a yearling and is from a mare who won at 9F in Italy. She has produced several winners around the world, including in Britain between 5F and 7F, the highest OR attained being 92.
BLACKLISTER had opened on course at 9/2 and was backed in to start as the 11/4 second favourite. He was purchased for 22000 guineas as a yearling and is from a mare who won once in France. She has produced two winning foals, in Britain over 10F (off OR 49) and in Italy at 8F.
JACK CARTER finished three lengths back in third for Mark Tompkins. He cost 18000 guineas and is from a mare who won four races at 8F (highest winning OR of 65). Her only other foal to race, has finished unplaced in three outings.
The Veterinary Officer reported that Q TEN GIRL lost a right hind shoe.
Monday 1 June – Windsor
Eight runners contested this 5F Class 5 Novice Stakes; MISU MONEYPENNY was a non runner (not eaten up). The three runners with experience were all previous winners and there were six fillies in the field.
BESHARAH had won on her debut at Ascot in a Class 4 maiden, earning a Timeform rating of 93p. The second, fourth and seventh in this race all won next time out. Available last night at evens (before the non-runner), there was sustained support for her during the day and she was sent off the 3/10 favourite. She was up with the pace throughout and quickened clear with a furlong to go to win by two lengths.
WHATDOIWANTTHATFOR made a satisfactory debut for Richard Hannon and was staying on inside the last to finish second. However, even in receipt of seven lbs, she was no match for the more experienced filly. She was purchased for £50000 at a Breeze Up sale and is out of a mare who was well beaten on her only run. She has yet to produce a winning foal.
OWER FLY was also representing the Hannon stable. He had made all when winning at Bath (the second has won a Class 4 maiden since). The same tactics were employed today but he finished a further length back, losing second place late on.
Jamie Spencer, the rider of LADY KHELEYF, reported that the filly hung right.
Monday 1 June – Carlisle
Seven runners went to post for a 5F Class 5 maiden; GENO and GRIFFIN STREET were non runners. There was one filly in the field and all but one of the runners had raced before and it was the newcomer who won the race.
KING ROBERT was sent off at 12/1 and with two furlongs to go, both he and the eventual runner up were towards the rear of the field. Where as FISHERGATE was pulled wide to challenge, KING ROBERT had to squeeze through a gap but Bryan Smart’s colt got up close home to win by ¾ length. FISHERGATE traded at a low of 1.04 and KING ROBERT traded at a high of 200 in running. He was originally sold for 16000 guineas as a yearling and later resold at a Breeze Up sale for £26000. Whilst his dam was unraced, her only previous foal has won at 6F (OR 83).
FISHERGATE had previously finished second on debut at Musselburgh behind the subsequent winner of the Class 2 Hilary Needler Trophy.
The Stewards noted that approaching the final furlong, TIKTHEBOX had interfered with CHICAGO SCHOOL, who in turn interfered with KING ROBERT, but after viewing a recording of the race they were satisfied that it was caused by TIKTHEBOX ducking sharply left and did not involve a riding offence.
News Update
Naas held two Listed races today, for which there were British raiders. The first of these was over 6F and the field of four colts included, BIRCHWOOD, a recent purchase by Godolphin. The colt who had won both of his races to date, most recently at Newbury, remained in training with Richard Fahey and was sent off the 5/6 favourite but could only finish in third behind ARGENTERO and GALWAY BAY.
For the fillies equivalent, Britain was represented by GREAT PAGE (Richard Hannon) and MILLENNIUM FALCON (Karl Burke); both horses are owned by Middleham Park Racing. GREAT PAGE had been tipped as a Royal Ascot filly before finishing second to her stablemate, ILLUMINATE, at Salisbury. MILLENNIUM FALCON had won on her second start at Doncaster. Both fillies were stepping up to 6F for the first time.
GREAT PAGE was held up in the rear but cruised to the front over a furlong out and was ridden clear to win comfortably by three lengths. This victory was the first Stakes win for sire, Roderic O’Connor.
After the race, Sean Levey said: ‘I thought she won her maiden well at Windsor. She came up against a very decent filly next time and the trip probably didn’t suit us. There was a bit of a worry about the ground but I think she is a very good filly, and her sire handled all sorts of ground. I’d say she will get seven furlongs in time. She travelled like a dream and I got there a bit sooner than I would like.’
Tim Palin, of owners Middleham Park Racing, said: ‘She ran back too quick when she was beaten last time. It was only 13 days after she put up a big effort on her debut and it was only over five and she needs six. The Albany, Cherry Hinton and Moyglare are all possibles. She’s bred for a mile and could be a Guineas filly. Sean said it was a muddling pace early and he got there way too soon but he couldn’t do anything about it, she just dragged him there.’
Middleham’s Mike Prince added: ‘It’s possible she could go to Royal Ascot, but not certain. Sandiva probably left Ascot behind by winning this race two years ago. The main plan is to come back for the Moyglare later in the year.’
Two Year Old Racing 2015 