Newbury Saturday
ROD Millman has made a habit of humbling bigger trainers in the Weatherbys Super Sprint and won the valuable juvenile event for the third time courtesy of Anthelia (Lewis Edmunds), who bounced back from a below-par run at Newmarket to capture the £122,925 first prize at odds of 6/1.
The winner was involved in a driving finish with race favourite and Windsor Castle Stakes winner Havana Hurricane (Eve Johnson Houghton/Charlie Bishop), winning by a short-head with Sands Of Spain (Andrew Balding/David Probert) a length and a half behind in third.
Her win was adding to the stable’s previous successes in the race with Lord Kintyre (1997) and Bettys Hope (2019).
“I didn’t know if she had got there and she had to make a bit of ground inside the final furlong as Eve’s horse got first run on us,” said a relieved Millman on hearing the photo go his way.
Nice horses
“I don’t try to buy cheap horses; I try to buy nice horses cheaply. She’s a lovely filly to be involved with and we’re so lucky to have a nice filly like this.
“It’s a wonderful race for any trainer, but especially the small trainers and it kept me in business many years ago when I was struggling and then won it with Lord Kintyre. After that people sent me horses and we’ve been fine ever since.
“We always try to have a nice horse for it, and I’ve spent a lot of money on entry fees, as the trouble is you have to enter them before you know how good they are. So you’re sort of running for your own prize-money, but if you’re lucky enough to have the right horse it’s a great race.
“My wife always says, what’s mine is half hers and what’s hers is hers, so she’ll enjoy this.”
Bamby was very Hot To Trot
THE 33/1 outsider Rage Of Bamby (Eve Johnson Houghton/Charlie Bishop) provided a landmark 100th winner for owners Hot To Trot Racing when taking the Group 3 Hallgarten & Novum Wines Hackwood Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.
This represented a return to form for the talented Rage Of Bamby, and she was full value for her success having travelled strongly in touch before taking over a furlong out and going clear to register a length-and-three-quarter victory over King’s Gamble (David O’Meara/Rossa Ryan), who shaded Regional (Ed Bethell/Callum Rodriguez) for second place by a head.
The free-going Diligent Harry disputed the lead with Regional but faded out of contention in the latter stages.
“We’ve had her for a few years now and her work is exceptionally good at home, so we’re always tempted to run her too soon in the season,” Bishop told ITV Racing.
“Every year, this time of year, she seems to come good. We always thought it was fast ground she wanted but I don’t think it’s the ground at all. The rain has got in a bit today, it’s loose but probably still close to good ground.
“It might have been a shock to everybody, but we’ve always held her in very high regard. Her work at home when she’s in form is exceptional and she deserved this.
“I’m not saying she’s going to win a Group 1, but on her day, she is very, very good.”
Royal perfect start
The Listed Steventon Stakes was a slightly messy affair with the race turning into a bit of a sprint after Rashabar was allowed to set a modest gallop trying 10 furlongs for the first time.
Royal Dubai (Owen Burrows/Callum Rodriquez) was sent off the outsider of the field at 10/1 but quickened best and then battled well to beat Rashabar (Brian Meehan/Sean Levey) by a length.
Favourite Enfjaar (Roger Varian/Jim Crowley) seemed unsuited by the way the race unfolded, finding less than expected having travelled smoothly, and beaten a further five and a half lengths into third.
Previously in the care of Marco Botti, the son of Seahenge made the ideal start for new handler Owen Burrows, making up for a disappointing effort in the Diomed Stakes at Epsom and able to brush aside a slow start given the moderate early gallop.
Owen Burrows said: “I’ve only had him a month and we’re still learning about him. I felt at a mile he looked a bit exposed, and I thought with his pedigree it was worth trying this trip again.
“His work has been very good at home. He came in great shape from Marco’s, so that was very pleasing.”
Market Rasen Saturday
THE feature of Market Rasen’s big day of the year was the Unibet Summer Plate Handicap Chase, worth £56,950 to the winner and it was Gavin Cromwell who walked away with the trophy after Ballysax Hank (Harry Cobden) had won on just his third completed start over fences.
The son of Eliot is just six years old and had a light weight on account of his unexposed profile, and despite getting on edge in the prelims, he did everything right on the track to win by five lengths and three-parts of a length from Courtland (Mickey Bowen/Shane Fenelon) and Bhaloo (Nicky Henderson/James Bowen).
The six-year-old was well supported and returned the clear favourite at 9/4 and was providing Cobden with his third consecutive victory in the Summer Plate, all for outside stables.
Held up in rear early having thrown in a buck or two before the tapes rose, Ballysax Hank took time to warm to his jumping and didn’t make serious headway until the home straight.
Took time to warm
Once he was asked for an effort, though, it was clear that his mark of 128 was inadequate, and he stormed clear when leading after the last for an ultimately impressive win.
“I was very fortunate to get the ride,” said Cobden to ITV Racing.
“I had the call on Tuesday when I was in a cattle market and didn’t think twice about it, so I’m delighted Ballysax Hank has gone on and won.
“There was a second when I thought I was coming off, but once running he relaxed and jumped well,” he added.
“He picked up well and winged the last and went away nicely.”
Around the Tracks
AS well as Gavin Cromwell’s big win at Market Rasen on Saturday, there was further Irish success in the UK when Joseph O’Brien’s Dignam (J.J. Slevin) landed a juvenile hurdle at Newton Abbot on Sunday. Carrying the familiar colours of Paul Byrne, the son of Sea The Moon won comfortably at odds of 1/4.