Hazyview makes amends
Hazyview, an expensive failure in last year’s Derby, went a long way to repaying connections’ faith with a resounding victory in the Vodafone Diomed Stakes at Epsom yesterday.
Neville Callaghan’s charge was supplemented for last season’s premier Classic at a cost of £75,000 (€111,200) but he could finish only eighth behind North Light.
Dropped back to an extended mile, he came good in this afternoon’s Group Three contest under a peach of a ride from Darryll Holland.
Hazyview adopted his usual front-running role, setting a steady pace, before being headed by Brunel at the three-furlong marker.
But Holland had kept plenty up his sleeve and when he asked his mount for another effort, the response was immediate and in the end the 8-1 shot won quite comfortably by two and a half lengths from Brunel to net the £43,500 (€64,500) first prize.
Callaghan said: “This is his trip, not a mile and a half. Last year’s Derby was a mistake. I owned half of him at that stage so it cost me £37,500 (€55,600), but he’s repaid us pretty well. He’s won a few quid today so we’ve got it back.
“He got a beautiful ride and with the visor this horse has been better and sharper. He stays a mile and a quarter in a Group Three or Group Two. I don’t know where we’ll go now.”
BA Foxtrot is on course for Royal Ascot at York after storming home in the Vodafone Woodcote Stakes.
Chris Catlin produced the 4-1 co-favourite to lead at the quarter-mile pole and Mick Channon’s youngster galloped clear to beat King Malachi in great style by six lengths.
“That was good,” enthused Channon. “He is such a handy little horse that I thought this was the place for him. I thought he would act around here and he has proved me right.
“He’ll go to Ascot and will run either over five or six. It’s a flat track so it won’t bother him which he goes for, and he has plenty of toe. He’ll probably go for the Norfolk or the Coventry.
“He was always going to win and he’s a trainer’s dream.”
Enforcer came from last to first, albeit via a rather erratic route, to take the Vodafone Live! Stakes.
Martin Dwyer dropped the 5-1 shot out at the rear of the field as firstly Hearthstead Wings and then Evolution Ex went a good clip.
Enforcer was still at the rear of the field as they headed down the straight and Dwyer elected to make his run up the inside, but he found his path blocked and was forced to switch to his right, impeding the Michael Kinane-ridden Kerashan, the 4-1 favourite, in the process.
Once in the clear, Enforcer flew home to land the spoils in impressive fashion by two lengths from the market leader.
A stewards’ inquiry was quickly announced but after deliberating for about 10 minutes, the result was allowed to stand.
Dwyer, however, was suspended for two days (June 19 and 20) for careless riding.
He said: “I was never anxious. I knew he would improve over this step up in distance. He’s a late finisher. It was just a question of getting a split.”
Winning trainer Willie Muir could run Enforcer at Royal Ascot at York, and said: “Do I drop him back to a mile? The step up to 10 furlongs today has really helped him and there’s a mile-and-a-quarter Listed race, possibly.”
David Nicholls has an impressive record at the home of the Derby, with the Thirsk-based trainer having saddled 14 winners at the track in the last five seasons.
He added to that haul with a 38-1 double with Fire Up The Band and Gift Horse.
Fire Up The Band made virtually all the running under new jockey Richard Hughes in the Vodafone ‘Dash’ Stakes Heritage Handicap.
Hughes soon had his mount racing against the stand rail and although Fire Up The Band was strongly pressed throughout the country’s fastest five furlongs, he was always too strong.
He held on to score by a length and a half from his stable companion Peace Offering, who was ridden by Nicholls’ son Adrian, with Corridor Creeper a short head away in third.
Hughes was replacing Nicholls junior on the winner and the trainer said: “It’s a pity Adrian didn’t ride it as he’s been on Fire Up The Band all the time, but that’s the way it is.
“The owners wanted a change on him, or some people did, and that’s it.
“Fire Up The Band will go for the Wokingham. He’ll have to go there now.
“We haven’t had Peace Offering very long but I’m sure you’ll hear a lot about him in the future.”
Franny Norton will miss the last four days of the Royal meeting after being banned on June 15 to 18 for careless riding on the unplaced Plateau.
Corridor Creeper’s jockey Shane Kelly was suspended for one day (June 19) for careless riding.
Gift Horse landed a huge gamble in the Vodafone Sprint Handicap under a typically strong ride from Kieren Fallon.
After watching the five-year-old justify 13-8 favouritism, Nicholls said: “I don’t know where all the money came from, but I knew the horse was well.
“Kieren said there was a lot more improvement in him. I’d love to see him run in the Wokingham, but I don’t think he’ll get in.”
On a good afternoon for northern-trained runners, Malton handler John Quinn also struck with Crow Wood in the Vodafone Handicap, which was the fourth winner at the meeting to be given an outstanding ride by Fallon.
The former champion brought the 9-2 favourite from well off the pace with a perfectly-timed run to beat Balkan Knight by two lengths.
“Fallon was the difference,” Quinn said emphatically. “We wanted to be handier but Fallon is the master. He said they went too quick. He only rides for me once a year!”
