THE Goffs UK Premier Yearling Stakes holds no pattern status, but witnessed a Group 1 performance as Mums Tipple (Richard Hannon/Ryan Moore) blasted out of the stalls, and had set up a winning lead after a furlong.
The Footstepsinthesand colt is nothing special on pedigree, but had been given a host of big race entries based on impressive home work, and he showed why here, pulling further and further clear, albeit under strangely strong driving which saw the winning rider get a two-day ban for hitting his mount when clearly winning. They scored by an astonishing 11 lengths from a colt, Rayong, who was beaten by less than half that distance in a Group 2 on his previous start.
Exceptional
The scopey chesnut will stay seven furlongs, but his speed at York was exceptional, and he looks a worthy market leader for the Middle Park Stakes should connections choose that route. Very few have managed the Middle Park/Dewhurst double in the past century, but he could emulate Diesis and U S Navy Flag in doing so, as long as this romp hasn’t left a mark.
Living In The Past and looking to the future
THE Sky Bet Lowther Stakes was expected to go to Molecomb Stakes winner Liberty Beach and Jason Hart, but they couldn’t manage to give a start and a beating to Karl Burke’s all-the-way winner Living In The Past. The Steve Parkin-owned winner was given an excellent ride in front by Danny Tudhope, and while she needed the line, the favourite’s rally was always coming too late.
Good Vibes (Dave Evans/Harry Bentley) was third.
There is a possibility that all the best fillies in the race will be better suited by different trips, with the first two likely to prove best at five furlongs.
The winner is in the Cheveley Park Stakes, but the Flying Childers looks the best fit for her, with Doncaster’s stiff five probably ideal.
Under The Stars, who beat Living In The Past in the Princess Margaret Stakes, was tapped for toe before running on for fourth, as was the inexperienced Wejdan in fifth.
Both of these fillies have scope to do better over seven furlongs.
DERMOT Weld has proven himself to be a master of his profession for almost half a century, immediately making his mark when taking over the licence from his father Charlie on New Year’s Day 1972.
He’s always enjoyed great success in Britain, and he unleashed another potential classic winner here with Search For A Song, who wasn’t seen to best effect in the Irish Oaks, but was allowed full expression of her talent by Oisin Murphy and ran out a decisive winner from Vivionn (Sir Michael Stoute/William Buick) and the front-running Spirit Of Appin (Brian Meehan/Martin Dwyer).
Improvement
The winner ran around a bit when taking control, but that is no surprise given her inexperience, and she looks open to considerable improvement on this listed success.
A full-sister to the same connections’ smart and progressive stayer Falcon Eight, Search For A Song – a long-striding filly who appreciated the long straight at York – will be suited by stepping up in trip, and whether her trainer decides to run her in the St Leger or the Irish version next month, she won’t be out of place.
Once again, this was a demonstration of the benefits of longevity and loyalty, with 71-year-old Weld the latest septuagenarian to scoop a big prize this season, and his association with the Haefner family in whose colours the filly runs, is one of the longest owner/trainer relationships in racing, stretching back well over four decades.