Gift has bookies in a stew
A quick reappearance at Glorious Goodwood could be on the cards for Balthazaar’s Gift after his impressive success in the Group Three HBLB Hackwood Stakes at Ascot.
Sponsors Blue Square cut the Luca Cumani-trained four-year-old into 10-1 for next weekend’s cavalry charge after he saw off 4-1 favourite Al Qasi by a length and a half.
The 15-2 chance, who is now in the care of Luca Cumani, showed some of his old dash when third in the Wokingham at the Royal meeting and the four-year-old appeared right back to his best when easing clear inside the distance.
Ged Cannon, representing owners Ryder Racing Ltd, said: “He loves this course and from when he finished second here in the Golden Jubilee last year we knew we had something special on our hands.
“He hated the ground on his last run but you saw his speed there, and on that showing you would be tempted to run in the Stewards’ Cup.”
A visor made all the difference to 16-1 shot Whazzis, who whizzed in by six lengths in the Listed EBF Valiant Stakes.
William Haggas’ filly had the headgear on when not getting a clear run at Newmarket last time, but with a smooth passage she forged into the lead under Kerrin McEvoy and came home in splendid isolation.
Haggas’ wife Maureen said: “She never runs badly and often gets placed. The visor has made a big difference and has just concentrated her mind.”
McEvoy initiated a double as Clive Brittain’s Albabilia gamely made all in the six-furlong Cenkos Securities October Club Maiden Fillies’ Charity Stakes.
The 9-2 shot was strongly pressed in the closing stages by Naomh Geileis but kept finding more under pressure to win by a head.
Owner Saif Ali’s racing manager Bruce Raymond said: “She is entered in everything and has plenty of options. The Fillies’ Mile would seem an obvious race and I think we will step her up in trip.”
Brian Meehan’s juveniles have been worth following this summer and 33-1 debutant City Leader proved a case in point as he swept to success in the John Guest EBF Maiden Stakes.
Meehan said: “He is in the Champagne Stakes and the Royal Lodge and we will look at those, but he might need another race first as he was green there.”
Kevin Darley was handed a three-day ban (August 7-9) for careless riding aboard the grey.
Multiple all-weather winner Odiham (7-1) gained his first turf victory for three years when battling hard to hold northern raider Thewhirlingdervish in the John Guest Brown Jack Handicap.
Trainer Hughie Morrison said: “He ran well in the Ascot Stakes but the ground was too firm, and this good to soft was perfect for him.”
Jamie Osborne re-routed Tears of A Clown (7-2) from Thursday’s meeting at Sandown and the move paid off with a neck win in the Sodexho Handicap, while Darryll Holland and Mick Channon teamed up to take the John Guest Handicap with 9-1 chance Wovoka.
