Chepstow 5.50 – 6F Maiden Fillies Auction Stakes (Class 5) Good to Soft
Runners: Twelve fillies declared, two debutantes. STROKE OF MIDNIGHT (OR 74) is the only runner with an official rating.
Non Runners: BEST NEW SHOW and ROSE ZAFONIC (both travel), CHRISTMAS SPIRIT (loose before start).
Favourite: LAVINIA ROSE 6/4 (from 13/8)
The stalls for this race were placed in the centre of the track. The field raced down the centre, with the notable exception of THATSALLIMSAYING (drawn highest) who raced against the stands side rail throughout.
1st – THATSALLIMSAYING (David Evans) Always prominent and led by halfway. Given one reminder approaching the furlong mark and went on to win easily. Fourth on debut, she then finished runner up at Chester over 5F, beaten 1¼ lengths by a horse given an OR of 79.
2nd – STROKE OF MIDNIGHT (Richard Hannon) Has now finished runner up on her last four starts, the most recent of these being at Lingfield (raised 4lb for that defeat).
3rd – LAVINIA ROSE (Ralph Beckett) Late jockey change with Patrick O’Donnell (claimed 7lb) replacing Richard Kingscote. Finished runner up at Newbury on her most recent start.
Distances: 5 lengths, 2¾ lengths.
CHRISTMAS SPIRIT, trained by Seamus Durack, dropped Sam Hitchcott and got loose. Having galloped half way down the back straight the filly proved difficult to catch and was withdrawn by the Stewards, in order not to further delay the race.
Newmarket 6.10 – 6F Median Auction Maiden Stakes (Class 4) Soft
Runners: Eleven runners declared, three fillies, five newcomers.
Non Runner: SHIPSHAPE MYFOOT (coughing):
Favourite: TRIASSIC 6/4 (from 7/4)
Market Movers: ALDAIR (16/1 to 12/1)
TRIASSIC led until a furlong out and then weakened to finish in fifth place. The first three settled in behind the leader and no other runner went by them.
1st – BING BANG BONG (David Barron) Took over a furlong out and was a very easy winner. Had finished third at Pontefract on debut.
2nd – GUANABARA BAY (Martyn Meade) Previously fifth on debut. He cost 7000 euros as and is from a mare who was unraced and has yet to produce a winning foal.
3rd – ATRAYU (Paul D’Arcy) Previously unplaced on both starts, most recently ninth over course and distance; the tenth horse won a Class 5 maiden next time out. He cost 50000 guineas as a yearling but only made 44000 guineas when resold at a Breeze Up sale. He is the first foal from a mare who wpn a 7F maiden in Ireland.
Distances: 3 lengths, 3¼ lengths.
ALDAIR finished in seventh place.
The Stewards considered the running of TRIASSIC, ridden by Adam Kirby and trained by Mark Johnston, which started favourite. They noted the trainer’s representative could offer no explanation for the colt’s performance.
HYMN FOR THE DUDES, unplaced, ridden by John Egan, had interfered with CELESTIAL LAD, unplaced, ridden by William Buick in that HYMN FOR THE DUDES had shifted quickly left for a couple of strides before being corrected causing CELESTIAL LAD to take a check. They found the interference was accidental.
Graham Gibbons: ‘It´s a long time since I’ve ridden one that was as unlucky as Bing Bang Bong was at Pontefract. He’s made amends in style and may well get seven furlongs.’
Newmarket 6.40 – 7F Nursery (Class 4) Soft
Runners: Five runners declared, including four previous winners. CARRINGTON (OR 84) carried top weight.
Non Runners: HILLSIDE DREAM (going), the only maiden declared.
Favourite: SHAWAAHID OR 82 11/8 (from 2/1)
Market Movers: MISTYMOISTYMORNING OR 75 9/4 (from 11/4)
MISTYMOISTYMORNING led until over a furlong out and weakened to finish fourth. CARRINGTON took over in front before SHAWAAHID came through to lead inside the final furlong.
1st – SHAWAAHID (Richard Hannon) Had won over 5F on debut on Good to Soft ground before finishing second at York in a 6F Class 2 nursery (the third horse went on to finish second in the Super Sprint (Class 2) and has been raised to 9lb to an OR of 90. Probably SHAWAAHID can expect a similar rise.
2nd – CARRINGTON (Charlie Appleby) Made his nursery debut today, having not been seen out since May when finishing second on a Class 2 Stakes race at Beverley.
Distances: 1¼ lengths
Richard Hills, assistant racing manager to Hamdan Al Maktoum: ‘SHAWAAHID’s won at five furlongs and now over seven. He’s by Elnadim who won the July Cup here and he’s a nice horse with plenty of scope. His tail goes around but he doesn’t stop.’
York 7.00 – 7F Median Auction Maiden Stakes (Class 4) Good to Firm
Runners: Nine runners declared, including one filly and three newcomers. MY VALENTINO (OR 71) is the only runner with an official rating. DISCREET HERO has a tongue tie for the first time.
Non Runner: PRIZE MONEY (sore shins)
Favourite: MOHAB 11/8 (from 15/8).
Market Movers: NEW CALEDONIA 8/1 (from 6/1), COMPTON SKY 8/1 (from 10/1).
1st – NEW CALEDONIA (Mark Johnston) Showed signs of greenness but made all and kept on well when challenged inside the final furlong. Had previously finished last of ten at Ayr on debut. Darley bred, he is from a mare who won Listed races in France over 8F and 9F in France. She has previously produced winning foals between 7F and 10F (highest winning OR of 78) and a place in a Listed race at 8F.
2nd – LYTHAM ST ANNES (David Simcock) Eighth in a Class 5 maiden at Carlisle on debut, the third won a Class 5 maiden next time out. He cost 70000 guineas as a yearling and is the first foal from a mare who won at 5F and 6F (highest winning OR of 82) and was placed in a Listed race at 5F.
3rd – MOHAB (Kevin Ryan) Another 2yo introduced a York by Kevin Ryan. Kept on towards the end and finished strongly. Purchased for 28000 guineas as a yearling and was then resold at a Breeze Up sale for 90000 guineas. He is the first foal to race from an unraced mare.
Distances: ¾ length, head.
NAVAJO WAR DANCE, ninth on debut for Tim Jarvis, was reported as being unruly in the paddock and at the start.
Emma Sayer, the rider of MY VALENTINO, unplaced, reported that the gelding hung right handed.
Two Year Old Racing 2015 