Attraction blow softened for Johnston
A notable double at Newcastle provided trainer Mark Johnston with some solace following the early retirement of his dual Guineas winner Attraction.
The brilliant filly had to call it a day after she was found to be slightly lame but her stable continued in fine form despite the blow with wins from Dream Mountain and Razed.
Johnston’s brace got underway early in the afternoon as the former got favourite backers off to a good start with a workmanlike victory in the Gosforth Decorating And Building Services Maiden Auction Stakes.
Irelands Cross gained the lead in the final two furlongs but the winning 7-2 chance showed good speed on the run-in to prevail by half a length from the fast-finishing Prince Evelith.
“The track beat him at Catterick last time but he’s got a great attitude and thoroughly deserved that,” said Johnston’s wife Deirdre.
Razed earned the Johnston team a second success with a ready victory in the nitex.co.uk EBF Maiden Stakes.
The King’s Best colt clearly relished the step up to a mile after showing vast reserves of stamina to hold off Macorville’s surge in the closing exchanges.
Joe Fanning had his partner ensconced in mid-division before moving up through the gears as they turned the bend for home.
A few gentle reminders from Fanning resulted in a pleasing response as his mount, sent off at 9-1, swept past pacemaker Millbrook Star and picked up well to score by three-quarters of a length from Macorville.
Godolphin’s newcomer Rebellion ran green throughout but gave his connections plenty of encouragement for the future by staying on for third place.
“What a day,” added Mrs Johnston. “He’s such a huge two-year-old and he really improved well after his first run at Redcar.
“He knew exactly what we wanted today and Joe did not have to do much really to get him going.”
Reflecting on Attraction, Mrs Johnston said: “She was the first thing I saw when I opened the curtains in the morning and the last thing I saw when I closed them on a night.
“It was a muscular thing and while it may not have been that serious, we were not prepared to take any risks.
“It’s such a shame but she’s just been brilliant and it was great her last run was a winning one.”
The Johnston camp were out of luck in the EBF Breeders Fund Maiden Stakes, though, as Makai (33-1) was narrowly outpointed by Greek Secret in an entertaining finish.
The pair stretched clear of the chasing pack from the off and fought out a rare tussle, with Tim Easterby’s two-year-old (11-2) emerging victorious by half a length.
Wigan Rugby League chairman Maurice Lindsay joint-owns Greek Secret and could barely conceal his delight at the outcome.
“I’ve got three with Tim but this is my first victory of the season,” said Lindsay.
“There’s more than a flavour of rugby league about the horse because Grahame Liles owns the horse with me and he is chairman of Hunslet.
“Fergal Lynch said he was still a bit green but he showed what he was all about here and I don’t think an extra furlong will be a problem in due time.”
Lynch was back in the winner’s enclosure as Tony Tie (20-1) came with a late flourish to collar Iskander in a tight finish to the one-mile St James Security Handicap.
Taxman was firmly put in his place by Red Opera at Catterick earlier in the month but Clive Brittain’s charge (15-2) emphatically reversed that form in the bet365 Call 08000 322 365 Handicap.
The latter was never near the principals when it mattered but Brittain’s three-year-old stepped up to the plate this time around and had a neck to spare over Our Choice in the two-mile hike.
Jeremy Glover’s Sam’s Secret (9-2) held on for victory after a lengthy photo-finish to the EBF Classified Stakes, while David Nicholls landed yet another five-furlong dash as Blue Knight blazed a trail in the concluding Stephen Easten Handicap.
