Week 10 – 4th-10th March 2013

Rockmills native, Ed Vaughan continued his good strike rate on the all weather with yet another winner, this time from stable stalwart Robin Hood’s Bay at Kempton Park.

In a very competitive class 2 handicap over ten furlongs, Robin Hood’s Bay was going to have to at least equal his career best performance when winning last time out at Lingfield. Sent off 5/2 joint favourite and ridden by Luke Morris, Robin Hood’s Bay didn’t settle off a very slow early pace. Tracking the leaders in about fourth place you just knew this was going to be a sprint to the line once they quickened up.

But this son of Motivator is well used to a sprint to the line and he duly picked up strongly in the closing stages to win by a neck from his main market rival, Spifer. Rated 95 before this race, Robin Hood’s Bay could now be aimed at the Group 3 Winter Derby at the end of March. Morris said, “They went very slow there. He’s got a good turn of foot and wants a strong pace to run at, so all credit to him for winning, but we got first run as well. He’s a nice horse and has won off 95 there and can hopefully go on again. The owners are planning on going for the winter derby”.

LANE RIDES ADMIRABLE RACE ON DUQUE

Kilworth flat jockey, Martin Lane kept the ball rolling for the all weather brigade, when he partnered Admirable Duque for trainer Dominic French-Davies to win at Wolverhampton last Saturday.

Slowly away from the stalls, Lane settled his mount towards the rear in what looked like an even pace over this one mile and six furlong distance. Gradually working his mount into the race from well over a mile out, Lane produced this son of Selkirk at the furlong marker with a well timed run, to win going away at the line by three quarters of a length. This was the horse’s second win in this particular race having won it in 2011. Admirable Duque still looks well handicapped from past form and now that he’s got his head in front, he may well follow up again in the near future.

KENIRY CONTINUES GOOD RUN

Killeagh flat jockey Liam Keniry was again in good form last week, riding another brace of winners.

Firstly to Kempton Park, where Keniry teamed up with trainer David Elsworth with debutant three year old filly Friendship Is Love. In what looked a very weak maiden, Elsworth’s charge was heavily supported in the betting market and went to post the 4/7 favourite.

Breaking slowly from the stalls, Friendship Is Love was soon tracking the early leader Guru Baby. As the race progressed it soon became clear that Keniry was going to have to work his magic as his mount started hanging up the home straight. Losing second place over one furlong out through inexperience, Keniry got down to business and finally his mount started to respond. Staying on in the closing stages she eventually got the better of Sally Bruce in a protracted battle inside the last 100 yards, to win by a hard fought neck.

Paul Holley assistant trainer to Elsworth said, “She made a bit heavy weather of it but Liam said she was looking around and all the way up the straight until the last 50yds, he didn’t think she would win but then the penny finally dropped.”

Moving on to Lingfield Park and Keniry this time teamed up with trainer John Butler on old favourite Stand Guard. Although now nine years old, Stand Guard is in the form of his life and he was going for his 20th career win on the all weather. Dropping back to 1m 4f after getting outstayed over 2 miles on his last run, Stand Guard was held up in rear in this four-runner Claiming contest. Keniry was quiet content to bide his time and waited until the two furlong marker to make his move. Travelling smoothly Stand Guard stalked his main market rival, Right Stuff until asked to go about his job at the one furlong marker. From there on in it was only a matter of how far Keniry wanted to win by, Stand Guard eventually being eased down for an easy five length win.

Liam went on to say, “He’s very straightforward and did it easily. He travelled round lovely and put the race to bed in two strides.”

BALINROAB IMPRESSES FOR MCLERNON

Liscarroll jump jockey Richie McLernon was again on the scoresheet on Ballinroab for trainer Jonjo O’Neill at Leicester. Riding the son of Grange Stud’s Milan in a three mile handicap chase, McLernon’s one job was to get this horse jumping well, as he had disappointed in that department on his previous start. Given a more positive ride by McLernon, Balinroab never looked in any danger and bounded clear once sent to the lead turning for home. On this evidence this horse can go on to better things and may be hard to beat given his current handicap mark of 110, which no doubt will be 120 plus after he is reassessed by the handicapper. It will be interesting to see where connections will go with him next.

HARDING ON FIRE

Castletownroche jump jockey, Brian Harding is still riding on a crest of a wave. Enjoying his best season in many a year, he again was in the winners’ circle on Scarlet Fire for trainer Nicky Richards at Carlisle.

This horse has run with the choke out in past hurdle races and this again was the case, with Harding having a job just to settle him early on. Tracking the leader Witness In Court to two out, Harding’s mount got outpaced when asked a serious question. Getting a response between the last two flights Scarlet Fire rallied to lead at the last and won going away up the Carlisle hill by one and a half lengths. He could be a nice chase prospect in time given his scope for jumping well.

Richards went on to say, “He was a bit keen on his first run over hurdles so I’ve been waiting for better ground. He went to Musselburgh but that’s not everyone’s cup of tea. He’s not that big but jumps well and should make a chaser.”

This was Harding’s 25th winner of the season.

CHELTENHAM

All roads lead to Cheltenham this week and we would like to wish all locals the best of luck – be they two legged or four. Come home safe!