Friday 3 July
Sandown 2.50 – 5F Dragon Stakes (Listed) Good to Firm
A preview of this race can be read here. PROMISED MONEY was a non runner (temperature).
SOAPY AITKEN had been available at 13/8 when the books opened last night and he was backed in to start as the 4/6 favourite.
HALSALL set out to make the early running with EJAAZAH close up. Approaching the two furlong pole, HALSALL began to weaken and RIFLESCOPE was pushed along to join EJAAZAH in the lead. SOAPY AITKEN at this stage seemed to be going alright but was hemmed in on the far rail. Inside the final furlong, RIFLESCOPE managed to wear down EJAAZAH to win by a length.
SOAPY AITKEN finished a further 1¼ lengths back in third and was unable to make any impression on the leading pair, after being pulled out to try and challenge.
BARBAROUS RELIC was outpaced early but stayed on towards the end, without ever threatening the principals.
The Stewards held an enquiry into the use of the whip by James Doyle, the rider of RIFLESCOPE, from one and a half furlongs out. Having heard his evidence and viewed recordings of the race, they found him in breach of Schedule (B)6 Part 2 in that he used his whip above the permitted level. The Stewards suspended Doyle for 2 days as follows: Friday 17 and Saturday 18 July 2015.
The representative of K R Burke, the trainer of BARBAROUS RELIC, reported that the colt was unsuited by the going.
James Doyle on RIFLESCOPE: ‘He is very relaxed and went in last today and had a look around when he went in. He was slow moving out of the stalls today as the plan was to make all, but they set good fractions so it didn’t matter. It was a step forward and he stuck it out well, but he didn’t do a whole lot in front. He needs to step up to six now.’
Sandown 3.20 – 7F Maiden Stakes (Class 5) Good to Firm
GOLDENFIELD was a non runner (going) which left a field of six, five colts and a gelding. Two of the runners were having their first starts.
CARTAGO (John Gosden) had finished third at Newmarket on his debut in a 7F Class 4 maiden and was made the 11/10 favourite. The winner of that race had finished third in a Novices Stakes and the fifth had been runner up in another Class 4 maiden on their next appearances.
However, a good day for Mark Johnston just got better as MINIATURIST, the most experienced runner in the field, made all to make it a 2yo double (and a treble at the course). At the furlong pole he quickened and went on to win by 1¼ lengths. On his most recent start in a Class 3 maiden at York, he was sent off favourite but could only finish in fifth place. Despite it being his third start, Silvestre De Sousa, reported that the colt ran greenly. Since that race, the second, third and fourth horses have all won maiden races on their next starts.
TAQWAA (Richard Hannon) had finished second at Kempton on debut over 6F in a Class 5 maiden – both the fifth and sixth horses were placed in maidens on their next appearances. He tracked the winner throughout but never looked a danger to the winner.
CARTAGO finished a further two lengths away in third.
James Doyle on MINIATURIST: ‘His form looked to have regressed from his first run, but he has left that behind today. It might have been the long walk down and the soft ground that didn’t suit him last time at York. I thought he might find today a bit quick as he is a big horse, but he didn’t mind it all. He was not stopping at all and he will definitely stay a mile. I had never ridden a winner for Mark Johnston until yesterday now, I have had three in two days. They are all in great nick and are so straightforward. It is great to ride for a stable that is on fire.’
Beverley 6.45 – 5F Novice Stakes (Class 4) Good to Firm
A preview of this race can be read here.
EXCESSABLE was sent off the 4/6 favourite having opened up on course at 10/11.
LYDIA’S PLACE (opened up on course at 7/2 and drifted out to 11/2) and FURIANT set the early pace, with the favourite tucked in behind the leaders on the rail. EXCESSABLE was brought to challenge between the two leaders as FURIANT began to weaken. However, although he looked as though he would progress and win the race (traded at a low of 1.02), LYDIA’S PLACE would not give in and battled back to win by a neck.
FURIANT finished a further six lengths back in third.
Connor Beasley, the rider of SATIN CHIC, placed fifth, reported that the filly hung left throughout.
Haydock 8.00 – 7F Maiden Stakes (Class 5) Good to Soft
Nine colts contested this maiden race, RATEEL was the non runner (going). There were four newcomers in the field.
JAYJINSKI opened up on course at 11/4 and was supported in to 7/4 favourite. Richard Hannon’s colt had finished second at Kempton on debut. The other two market leaders were HAALICK, a newcomer for Roger Varian and SHADOW GAME (Mark Johnston). SHADOW GAME had finished third on his most recent start, at Kempton, a short head behind TAQWAA (see Sandown 3.20 above).
The three market leaders filled the places this evening. SHADOW GAME led from the start and JAYJINSKI was always prominent. These two seemed set to fight out the finish until HAALICK arrived on the scene well inside the final furlong.
Roger Varian’s colt had tracked the leaders but had to wait until a gap appeared and when it did, he quickened up well to win by ½ length. Purchased for 50000 euros as a foal, HAALICK was then resold as a yearling for 170000 guineas. He is from a mare who won at 7F, including a Listed race, and has produced winning foals in Canada and USA.
JAYJINSKI finished in second place, a short head in front of SHADOW GAME.
Two Year Old Racing 2015 