Spencer hit with ban
Champion jockey Jamie Spencer is set to miss the final day of Chester’s May meeting on May 12 after picking up a one-day ban at Windsor yesterday.
Spencer experienced a day of mixed fortunes when notching up a double but later receiving a one-day suspension after being found guilty of careless riding on the unplaced Optimus in the attheraces.com Median Auction Maiden Stakes.
It was not all gloom for Spencer, however, as he completed his short-price double when Remember Ramon (2-1) took the Arena Leisure plc Handicap.
Owner Harry Findlay said: “I was screaming to Jamie to take it up when there was no early pace and as soon as I did off he went and surged to the front.
“That’s why I get the champion jockey because he doesn’t mess about and he gets the job done.”
Greg Fairley was suspended for one day (May 12) for improper use of the whip on the fourth-placed Soho Square.
Espartano was sent off 1-3 to follow up his recent course-and-distance success in the French Brothers Novice Auction Stakes, but the favourite had to work hard to gain a half-length verdict over No Worries Yet.
Trainer Mark Wallace blamed the rain-softened ground for the performance, and said: “I did think for a second we were going to get chinned but Jamie said he got stuck in the ground.
“I now favour going to Milan for a Group Three over six furlongs on June 17 as opposed to Royal Ascot.”
The race in which Spencer picked up his ban was won by Starlight Gazer (7-1) who beat Fleeting Passion by a length and a half.
His trainer Jonathan Geake said: “We ran him on good to firm last season and paid the price and he just about got away with it on his comeback at Newmarket.
“He must have this cut and the rain definitely helped. He was just green. That’s why he drifted across the course.”
Sophie Doyle was banned for two days (May 12 and 13) for careless riding in the early stages of the six-furlong race aboard the fourth placed Atticus Trophies.
Walter Swinburn and Richard Quinn teamed up successfully in the Royal Windsor Handicap when Miss Provvidence posted a decisive success.
Despite edging to the far side of the track in the closing stages, the four-year-old still managed to beat Blue Bajan and Mustajed by half a length and a length respectively.
Quinn completed a double with a smooth-as-silk triumph on Upper Hand in the Joan Quesnel Special Birthday Conditions Stakes.
With Mick Channon’s horses on fire the colt was backed down to 5-4 favourite and came home by a length and a quarter from Chief Commander.
Channon’s assistant Joe Tuite said: “He was a bit fresh and buzzy on his reappearance at Newmarket. We’ve always thought highly of him and he can improve again.”
The Come Racing Here Every Monday Handicap went to 11-2 chance Judd Street, who proved too strong for Tanforan, for the Fulke Johnson Houghton-Dane O’Neill combination.
