Finjaan bags Betfair spoils for resurgent Tregoning
A low-grade infection has laid Tregoning’s yard low for the majority of the season, with a 91-day losing spell ended by Sterling Sound at Ascot on Sunday.
Finjaan was his only runner since and kept the winning theme rolling by bringing up his fourth success of the campaign with a gambled-on victory in the seven-furlong highlight.
The Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum-owned colt had been absent as part of Tregoning’s six-week shutdown since finishing down the field in the 2000 Guineas, but proved popular on his reappearance and was backed at all prices from 12-1 down to 5s.
With the owner’s regular rider Richard Hills pinning his colours to Jersey Stakes winner Ouqba, Tadhg O’Shea came in for the mount and brought home the colt – whose last win came here 12 months ago in the Molecomb Stakes – half a length ahead of Balthazaar’s Gift.
Both 5-4 favourite Main Aim and South African J J The Jet Plane forced the early pace but dropped tamely away to finish last and second last respectively.
The ever-cheery Tregoning was hardened to setbacks during his 14 years spent with Major Dick Hern, and adopted the same soft spot for Glorious Goodwood as his late predecessor.
Tregoning said: “I absolutely love to win races at this meeting and it is our Ascot.
“The horses haven’t been right but I always knew it would come right in the end so long as the owners stand by me, and Sheikh Hamdan has had plenty of experience of this with other trainers.
“Tadhg rode him in his last few pieces of work and was brimming with confidence and it helps me when riders are like that.
“I wasn’t sure which Richard would ride and it was a difficult choice as Barry Hills’ horses have been in amazing form all season, while mine haven’t.
“The Hungerford would be a possibility next if he comes out of this race well and I am keen to go down the sprinting route with him.
“His temperament is getting better as he gets older and I think he could make a lovely older horse and next year maybe he can be champion sprinter.”
O’Shea had tasted Royal Ascot success for the first time aboard Ouqba, when Hills chose to ride Infiraad.
The jockey said: “I am very privileged to ride for such a loyal man.
“It is very hard for Richard Hills but it is always great to pick up what he doesn’t ride and ride in the races you have always wanted to ride in.
“I rode him in the Guineas and I thought he would definitely get seven furlongs, but at the same time I didn’t want to go on two out and be floundering in the last 150 yards.”
Sheikh Hamdan is enjoying a stellar 2009, and was happy to see Tregoning return to winning form at the weekend.
He commented: “I said to the trainer that I was glad he was able to shake the dust from his back!
“We need to find a race for him now and see if he is good enough for a Group One.
“He’s flexible distance-wise and I wouldn’t be afraid of trying six furlongs with him.”
