Pipe lines up York return
Pipedreamer gained his first Pattern success in the Sky Bet York Stakes – and may return to the Knavesmire next month for a crack at the Group One Juddmonte International Stakes.
John Gosden’s four-year-old has this term held his own at the highest level and emphatically justified 2-1 favouritism in this extended 10-furlong affair.
Last season’s Cambridgeshire winner joined Frankie Dettori on Campanologist at the head of affairs two furlongs from home before asserting his authority inside the last.
Pipedreamer was not for catching and skipped away for a straightforward length-and-a-half call under Seb Sanders.
Chris Richardson, managing director for Pipedreamer’s owners, Cheveley Park Stud, was understandably thrilled.
“He’s so consistent,” said Richardson.
“We were a little bit concerned about the ground, but he travelled extremely well on it.
“He led a little bit sooner than Seb had wanted, just because of the way the race was run.
“He deserved this first Group-race success – he’s been running so consistently in good company.
“We may now come back for the (Juddmonte) International next month here.
“Winning a Group One would be important for his future as a stallion.”
A hectic 24 hours for jockey Andrew Elliott was rewarded when he gained the biggest success of his career on the Karl Burke-trained Lesson In Humility in the £50,000 Sky Bet Dash.
Elliott sent the 12-1 shot on with a quarter of a mile to race in the six-furlong test.
His mount then stuck to his task well to pass the post with one and three-quarter lengths to spare over Tombi, with Express Wish a neck away in third.
Middeham-based Elliott rode a winner at Thirsk on Friday afternoon and then set off at around 4.30pm for a 200-mile journey to Newmarket to ride in the final race of their evening card.
“I did not get back home until after midnight but I was able to have a lie-in in the morning,” said the rider.
“I am not riding anywhere on Saturday night so I am going home and will have a barbecue and enjoy a nice steak.”
Burke’s wife, Elaine, said: “Lesson In Humility goes on ground good or quicker and we may now try and get some black type with her.
“It was a good performance from a three-year-old and she is a filly with a lot of pace.”
Owner Graham Wylie said of runner-up Tombi: “He has run great race under a big weight.
“He won’t go for the Stewards’ Cup – he is not the best of travellers but the Ayr Gold Cup will be a target.”
Crystal Capella overcame market weakness to emerge a decisive winner of the skybet.com EBF Fillies’ Stakes.
Sir Michael Stoute’s three-year-old was sent off an easy-to-back 3-1 chance but made those odds look gargantuan in the hands of Kerrin McEvoy.
Once Caprivi was clinically despatched two furlongs out, the well-bred daughter of Cape Cross showed an encouraging temperament to defeat Ornella by four and a half lengths.
McEvoy said: “She was still green and the ground really didn’t suit her.
“But they went a good gallop, and that did suit her.
“She’s an improving filly and I don’t think she would mind going a bit further than a mile and a quarter.”
Anglezarke turned in an accomplished display to win the five-furlong skypoker.com Stakes at York .
Tim Easterby’s 7-1 shot appeared ill at ease on the fast ground, but improved into fourth place as the field galloped towards the one-furlong pole.
Galvanised under David Allan’s right-handed drive, the Acclamation filly shot clear of the early pacesetters to score by a length and a half from Faraway Sound.
Peter Easterby, father of the winning trainer, said: “She was bought at Doncaster so I suppose we’ll have a look at one of those big sales races, but you need to be Ascot-class to win one of them.”
Sam Hitchcott was suspended one day (August 9) for using his whip in the forearm position down the shoulder aboard Mazzola.
