Ireland on agenda after Imperial performance
A trip to Ireland could be on the cards for the rapidly-improving Imperial Stride after the Michael Stoute-trained colt completed his three-timer in the Daily Record Scottish Derby at Ayr yesterday.
The lightly-raced four-year-old was backed into 1-2 for the Group Two contest following Listed wins at York and Newmarket, and he proved well up to the task under Richard Hills with a comfortable victory over Powerscourt.
Bruce Raymond, representing owner Saeed Suhail, said: “This horse is on the up. He’s in the Royal Whip at the Curragh on August 7, a Group Two race. That’s his next entry.
“He’s a typical Michael Stoute-trained horse, who is progressing with patience and I think he’ll probably go on again while he’s on a roll.”
Mecca’s Mate produced a blistering burst of speed for Fergal Lynch to take the Land O’Burns Fillies’ Stakes in great style, a performance which left her trainer David Barker “stunned”.
“Last to first in six strides – but you are never worried with Fergal on your side, bless him!” said a breathless Barker.
“But that was some performance – I’m stunned. She’s blown me away there. That last furlong has just left me speechless. The progression she has shown this year has been amazing.”
Mark Johnston is the leading trainer at the track and the Middleham-based handler improved on his impressive tally at the course with a 12-1 double through Nihal and Sound Breeze.
The latter was particularly impressive when trouncing his rivals in the Glasgow Gala Casinos Handicap in the hands of Kevin Darley.
Sound Breeze could be seen out again soon before being reassessed by the handicapper.
Johnston said: “After a five-length win we’ll have to look for another handicap before the end of next week. I’ll be looking to see if there is anything at Goodwood for him.”
Nihal left earlier disappointments behind when gaining a gutsy victory in the Famous Grouse European Breeders Fund Maiden Stakes.
“We thought the filly was very useful before her first start, but she missed the break at Pontefract and only got into the race in the last furlong,” Johnston said.
“We thought she’d win next time and then she did it again, but today she’s shown what we originally thought of her. We do think a lot of her and she’s close to the top of the pecking order of our two-year-old fillies.”
Robert Winston is riding better than ever this season and he was seen at his strongest when snatching a last-gasp victory on The Bear in the Jetcard Nursery.
He set out to make all the running on the 4-1 chance, but he looked held when headed by the eventual second inside the last of the six furlongs.
However, the title-chasing jockey conjured a late surge out of The Bear, who got up right on the line to win by a short head.
“Robert was tremendous there. You are better with him on your side than against you,” said trainer Ian Semple.
“The Bear is a big, weak horse and he’ll be a nice three-year-old. He’s definitely Listed or Group Three class and I’ll try and go down that road, but I don’t want to over-race him this year.”
Local trainer Linda Perratt ended a losing run stretching back more than 10 weeks when she saddled Seafield Towers to win the Salon Service Matrix Haircare Handicap.
“The horses have had a virus, which affected their muscles, and we’ve been off for four or five weeks,” said the relieved the Cree Lodge handler.
Fallon had to be content with second again when his mount, Yorkshire Blue, found 50-1 shot Drury Lane three-quarters of a length too good in the Xperdata Handicap.
