Sanders treble keeps title dream alive
Seb Sanders refused to admit defeat in the duel for the jockeys’ championship after riding a short-priced treble at Catterick.
Sanders moved to just seven victories behind Jamie Spencer to refuel the dream of collaring his big rival in the coming months.
Although the betting may argue otherwise – VC Bet still make Spencer a 1-5 chance – triumphs for Wolf River, Atlantic Coast and Sangfroid went some way to dispelling the notion of a walkover for the former champion.
“I might catch him (Spencer) up but I’m not sure I’ll beat him,” said Sanders.
“I’m second-favourite at the moment but nothing’s a foregone conclusion and while I’m in still in there, I’ll give it a go.”
Sanders firstly clocked up his 118th winner of the Flat season aboard Wolf River in the Weatherbys Bloodstock Insurance Maiden Stakes.
David Simcock’s 4-11 favourite gained a slight advantage inside the last and pulled two lengths clear of Takanewa, with third-placed Nans Lady a further six lengths adrift.
The champion-jockey aspirant doubled up later on the card when 1-2 favourite Atlantic Coast made mincemeat of his opponents in the Swale Handicap.
Deirdre Johnston, wife of successful trainer Mark, said: “He’s become a really genuine sort.”
Sanders saved the best until last, however, when booting Sir Mark Prescott’s 6-5 favourite Sangfroid, who was off the bit some way from home, to victory in the Foss Handicap.
Vicki Haigh shelved an opportunity to top up her suntan so as to cheer Musical Beat on to victory in the feature race of the day.
The South Yorkshire handler was certain of a good show from her Beat Hollow filly in the Weatherbys Finance Handicap so elected to make the trip up the A1 from Wiseton Hall Stables.
It was to emerge a most beneficial day out as her three-year-old, a course-and-distance scorer in July, reaped handsome rewards back down in trip and class.
Luke Morris shed an important 5lb off the top-weight’s back and eased into third as the field straightened for the winning line.
Musical Beat was then given the office with two furlongs to run and prevailed by three-quarters of a length from Flying Valentino.
“I would not have been here if I didn’t fancy her, I’d have been sunbathing instead,” smiled Haigh, whose charge was sent off at odds of 13-2.
“She’s got bags of speed and this drop in class has helped.”
Morris’ joy soon dissipated, however, as the 5lb claimer was hit with a three-day suspension (Sunday 9-11) for careless riding.
Toy Top, trained by Michael Dods, augmented last Friday’s win at Thirsk to appease favourite-backers in the Derwent Handicap.
Unpunished for her latest triumph in an apprentice handicap for Neil Brown, the same jockey was at the helm to oversee this half-length verdict from Blackheath.
“All being well, she will run at Musselburgh (on Thursday) – she’s very tough and can handle her races,” reflected Carole Dods, wife of the winning trainer.
Lee Enstone was suspended six days (September 9-14) as the local stewards felt his mount, Miacarla, could have finished fourth.
David Nicholls’ decision to drop Van Bossed to the minimum trip yielded a two-and-a-half-length success in the Ouse Median Auction Maiden, while Ryedane (6-4 favourite) maintained Tim Easterby’s good run in the Nidd Handicap.
