Atabaas Pride takes victory in Newcastle
Mark Johnston struck with his only runner of the afternoon when Atabaas Pride gained a well-deserved first success in the EBC Classic Excel Maiden Stakes at Newcastle.
The Pivotal two-year-old, who had found just one too good for him on his last three outings, was ridden to lead at the two-furlong marker and Greg Fairley kept him right up to his work to score by two and a half lengths from Andaman Sunset.
Johnston's wife Deirdre said of the well-backed 1-2 favourite: "He really deserved that, he went so close at Goodwood, he finished very fast and would have won in two more strides.
"We have had a good run for his owners and Lina's Selection has two options this weekend, while Soapy Danger is not far off running."
