Two Step Kid wins William Hill Trophy
Krugerrand repeated his victory of last year with an impressive display in the Cadogan Silver Salver Handicap on the 34th Timeform Charity Day at York this afternoon.
Sent off at 25-1 a year ago, Willie Musson’s gelding started at 14-1 this time and as soon as he appeared on the scene approaching the final furlong, it was obvious he was going to take some beating.
Gary Carter gave Krugerrand a couple of backhanders and the five-year-old raced into the lead and stretched clear to take the nine-furlong contest in great style by two and a half lengths from James Caird.
George McGrath, representing Musson, said: “When Gary came in he said the biggest problem was getting out.
“He seems to like this course. He won the same race last year from the same sort of position – out the back, looks like he has nowhere to go, gets a little bit of daylight and just sails home.”
Krugerrand was returning to form after four unplaced efforts this season and he clearly appreciated the good to firm going on the Knavesmire.
McGrath added: “It’s a big key for Krugerrand. He has to have this sort of ground. He loves it, he really stretches on it.”
Sara Cumani brought Mephisto with a powerful late charge to land the Queen Mother's Cup for lady amateur riders by a head from Court Of Appeal.
Court Of Appeal looked to have the race in safekeeping after fighting off a series of challengers in the straight, only to be pipped on the post by the 4-1 winner, who is trained by the rider’s husband Luca Cumani.
The Newmarket handler also ran Kuster, who finished sixth, ridden by his daughter Francesca. She said: “It’s so nice – but it was meant to be me. It’s my turn next time.”
And the winning jockey added: “I thought he had a good chance three out and then the girl (Loraine Ellison) who was second kept going, and I only just got there.”
Mrs Cumani received her weight in champagne for the victory, the ceremony taking place in the winner’s enclosure.
There was another exciting finish 30 minutes later in the Daniel Prenn Royal Yorkshire Rated Stakes when Etmaam got up in the shadow of the post to deny well-backed favourite Motive by a head.
Richard Hills settled Etmaam at the back of the eight-runner field and Kieren Fallon seemed to have made the decisive move when he kicked Motive into the lead with two furlongs of the mile-and-a-quarter contest to go.
But Hills produced Etmaam with a strong challenge down the outside and responding to all his rider’s calls, the Mark Johnston-trained colt galloped all the way to the line to land the spoils at 4-1.
Deirdre Johnston, representing her husband, said: “That happened to him last time at Doncaster. One came up on the outside and caught him.
“He’s a real gutsy horse. He dug deep and got stuck in. I think we’ll have to go further with him next time.”
Mrs Johnston added that if Etmaam is all right after today’s win he may be asked to carry a penalty over a mile and a half in the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot next week.
Stable star Attraction is on course to bid for a Group One hat-trick in the Coronation Stakes at the Royal meeting next Friday.
When asked how the dual Classic winner was, Mrs Johnston said: “No news is good news. She went up to the High Moor this morning and she went very well. She’ll have her last little spin on Monday morning just to put the finishing touches to her.
“She’s a bit heavy. Since she came back from Ireland she’s put on so much weight we’ve had to do a bit more work with her.”
Two Step Kid (14-1) stuck on gamely to land the feature William Hill Trophy for Newmarket trainer Jeremy Noseda.
The lightly-raced Gone West colt, who still holds an entry in the July Cup, travelled up with the pace in the centre of the track and held a clear advantage inside the final furlong.
Delphie Queen (16-1) tried hard to reel him in close home, but the winner prevailed a shade cosily by a neck.
Traytonic (10-1) was a further length and a half away in third, with Alderney Race (15-2) fourth.
