Spencer at the double
Jamie Spencer did some building of his own on ‘Builders’ Day’ at Folkestone today as a double re-established his advantage in the jockeys’ championship.
With Robert Winston managing a total of four winners on the day yesterday, Spencer’s lost his place at the head of the standings.
But two winners at the sun-bathed Kent course put Spencer back in front on the 55 mark for the turf season and he left for Newmarket’s evening meeting hoping for more of the same.
World Series became the first Spencer strike as the 7-1 chance landed the Scruff’s Hardware Median Auction Maiden Stakes.
Favourite Billy One Punch proved most disappointing as he faded rapidly out of contention in the final two furlongs, leaving Arous in the lead.
But despite having Arous drifting continually to her right and into his path, World Series stuck on bravely close home to get in front 50 yards out and score by half a length.
“First time out at Goodwood we were drawn wide and couldn’t drop him in like I wanted to, and then last time the tactics were all wrong,” said winning trainer Philip Mitchell.
“I’ve always thought he might be a nice horse and I got Jamie to ride because he is a half-brother to The Kiddykid, who he knows very well.”
Spencer’s brace came up as Kallista’s Pride landed some good bets when taking the Jewson Claiming Stakes.
Backed in from 5-1 to 7-2, the John Best-trained winner had the race in the bag from the furlong pole and only had to be pushed out in the final stages to account for Ballybunion by two lengths.
Locally-based Best’s team have struggled with a virus this season, and he is understandably hopeful that better times are ahead.
“It has been hard on everybody at the yard, but things do seem to be better now,” he said.
“I thought we might have a bit to find with the favourite today, but she’s done it very well.”
Spencer nearly completed a treble in the following metro-flow.co.uk Maiden Stakes, but his mount Cape Unknown was outpointed in the closing stages by the Rae Guest-trained Millinsky (9-2) under Seb Sanders.
“This filly’s dam, Millyant, was a very classy mare and this one is nowhere near as good, but she’s knuckled down all right and done the job today,” said Guest.
Terry Mills’ fortunes took a turn for the better when Close To You landed a gamble in the Barry Dennis Betting Shop Median Auction Maiden Stakes.
Supported at all rates down from 12-1 to a starting price of 5-1 in the minutes before the off, the son of Shinko Forest was brought with a powerful run down the middle of the track by John Egan.
Mister Benedictine, the 9-4 favourite, looked set to break his duck when grabbing the lead at the furlong pole under Martin Dwyer.
But the Willie Muir-trained colt was forced to settle for second place for the third consecutive race as Close To You got on top close home to secure victory by a length.
Mills’ team have been struggling for form in recent weeks and the trainer was delighted to get a winner on the board, even if he denied taking any part in the succcessful plunge.
“It’s nothing to do with me – we all had our brains on one we fancied at Salisbury yesterday that came in last,” he said. “But that’s gambling for you. It’s a mug’s game really!”
Nina Fontenail was given a canny ride by Robert Havlin to take the New Bosch 18V ‘Do You Need Persuading’ Handicap.
Lysander’s Quest looked the likeliest winner when nailing front-runner Icannshift just over a furlong out.
But all the time Havlin was getting on terms and the Rod Millman-trained 5-1 chance got on top late home to score by a neck.
Wasalat (9-2) defied top-weight in the concluding TKM Plumbers Merchants Ltd Fillies’ Handicap under Steve Drowne.
