Dods and Makin at the double
Trainer Michael Dods and jockey Phillip Makin teamed up to good effect as Ayr enjoyed a virtually trouble-free return to action.
The Scottish venue had to cancel last Wednesday’s meeting at the last minute due to a patch of false ground and although there was a slight moment of worry about the bend which had to be sanded, the fixture passed without incident.
Dods and Makin got the ball rolling with Osteopathic Remedy (6-4 favourite) in the Burns Mall Kilmarnock Handicap while Rubirosa, struck at odds of 11-4 in the Western House Hotel For Weddings Handicap.
Of Osteopathic Remedy, Dods said: “He wants good or good to soft ground really but I decided to come here at the last minute after they had had some rain and the ground is in good nick.”
Greg Fairley was another man in form as he scored aboard the George Foster-trained Malguru in the Neilson Binnie-McKenzie Handicap to complete a brace.
The 10-1 shot just lasted home by a nose from Lady Valentino to present Foster with his first Turf winner since returning to the training ranks last year.
He said: “Since I stopped training in 1997 I have worked as assistant to John Gosden and Brian Meehan and it is good to hold a licence again.
“We fancied Malguru each-way as he had run well at Musselburgh last time in a claimer.
“I have 20 horses in at the moment and I run a nice bumper horse Kinnaird Park at Perth on Sunday.”
Although Fairley was made to work hard aboard Malguru, he had no such trouble aboard Shaweel in the opening EBF Maiden Stakes.
The Mark Johnston-trained colt was sent off the 1-2 market leader and made all the running to score a six-length victory.
Fairley said: “We had got it from the start and he has done it really well for me.”
Russet Reward (4-1) made all the running and kept on well for Tom Eaves to claim the Dawn Developments maiden Auction Stakes.
Winning trainer Linda Stubbs said: “He has shown a lot at home and we thought he would have won before now. He has got so much speed and I think he will get six furlongs.”
Alleviate (1-3 favourite) ran out a three-quarter-length winner of the Macdonald Solicitors Handicap for Sir Mark Prescot and Seb Sanders.
Speedy Senorita (9-4) was also on the mark for favourite backers in the closing Giles Glasgow Fair Meeting 21st July Handicap.
John Simpson, representing owners Market Avenue Racing Club, said: “We have 11 horses in training and that is our seventh winner of the season – we have a target of 15.”
