Fallon hits treble top
Kieren Fallon delighted his army of supporters with a brilliant 57-1 three-timer on Texas Gold, Courageous Duke and Yorkshire Blue at Haydock Park today.
The former champion jockey was seen at his best when bringing the gambled-on Courageous Duke from last to first in the totesport Stakes.
He settled the 7-2 favourite – backed from a morning price of 8-1 – at the rear of the field after a sluggish start and brought Jeremy Noseda’s charge through to hit the front close home.
The partnership ran on well in the end to beat Eccentric by three-quarters of a length with Rehearsal a length and a quarter back in third.
“He did well. He missed the break and I thought I might be in a bit of bother,” said Fallon. “He usually breaks a touch slow, but not that slow.
“But they were going very quick and when they go that quick you are usually alright and you can come from that far back. It usually opens up off a good gallop.”
Texas Gold set the ball rolling for Fallon in the coral.co.uk Handicap but it was far from plain sailing for the Irishman as he had to avoid some scrimmaging approaching the furlong marker.
However, the gaps came in time and the 3-1 favourite, who had been available earlier at 11-2, came fast and late to claim the first prize by half a length from Talbot Avenue, with Forever Phoenix a neck away in third.
“I was a bit worried because Francis Norton’s horse (Sumora) nearly came down in front of me, but I got the split at the finish and he picked up for me,” said Fallon.
The result vindicated the late decision by trainer Willie Muir to switch Texas Gold to Haydock from last Saturday’s Vodafone Stewards’ Cup.
The ground at Goodwood was considered “too tacky” for the seven-year-old and the Lambourn trainer decided to wait for this five-furlong dash.
Muir said: “We were very disappointed last week but the horse doesn’t like sticky ground and there was only one decision to make.
“But when I looked at the calendar at Goodwood I saw this race was coming up so I thought we’d come here.
“He’ll have to go back for the Portland now. He got beaten a short head in it last year drawn one or two, which was a great run.”
Amir Quinn, who rode Forever Phoenix, was banned for three days (August 17-19) for careless riding after he was found guilty of causing interference to Talbot Avenue, who in turn hampered Sumora and Maltese Falcon.
The gambles hit the bookies hard and Damian Walker of totesport said: “The two best-backed horses of the day and Kieren has ridden them both – it doesn’t get much worse than that.”
Fallon completed his treble when he brought Yorkshire Blue (9-4 favourite) with a powerful run up the stands rail to beat Adantino by a neck in the Dave Scott Memorial Handicap.
“I got lucky there when they came off the rails,” Fallon said modestly.
Notable Guest benefited from a fine tactical ride from Richard Hughes to run out the convincing winner of the Petros Rose Of Lancaster Stakes.
After a lack of early pace in the Group Three contest, Hughes sent the four-year-old up to dispute the lead leaving the back straight and he was soon dictating matters from the front.
The Sir Michael Stoute-trained colt kicked on over three furlongs out and the 5-1 shot stretched clear inside the final quarter of a mile to score by three lengths from 4-6 favourite David Junior.
“He settled when I jumped out, that was the plan to sit in behind and get him relaxed,” Hughes said.
“But with the pace they were going I just let him stride on and he relaxed going up there. I decided to squeeze him along four out and when I picked him up he really flew.
“Slowly but surely he’s learned to relax and he’s going the right way now.”
Brian Meehan, trainer of the runner-up, was not too disappointed, and said: “It was a muddling old pace – that’s what has beaten him. There was no proper gallop until about two down and Richard had slipped them.
“I wouldn’t be worried about it. He’s a fine horse – he’s only a baby.
“I’d say we’d leave the Juddmonte now and I’ll have to talk to the owners about what we do, but I would imagine he’s done enough in the last two weeks.”
Perfectperformance finished tailed off and was later found to be lame bhind.
Meehan went one better – and reached the 600 domestic winner mark – when Sleeping Storm (7-2) made all under Alan Munro in the European Breeders Fund Novice Fillies’ Stakes.
“Alan said she’s got loads of speed, so we’ll stick to six furlongs with her,” said Meehan. “She’s some filly and she’ll make a stakes filly in time.”
Royal Island took the closing Casino 36 Classic Handicap by half a length from Khanjar for jockey Kevin Darley and trainer Mark Johnston, much to the delight of seven totesport Jackpot punters.
The total pool was £722,679 before deductions and one lucky backer received £128,275.50 for a £1 stake for naming all six winners, while the other successful tickets were all to 50p.
