Manny happy returns for Fairley
Greg Fairley justified spending his 21st birthday at a chilly Kempton Park with a winner from his two rides.
The Scottish-born former champion apprentice had to bring forward any celebrations 24 hours with his employer Mark Johnston requiring his services in the feature race.
While there was no luck on that score, it was Jeremy Gask’s Street Power (8-1) who made Fairley’s journey from North Yorkshire worthwhile in the William Hill Telebetting Sale – Enhanced Favourites Handicap.
“The boss needed me to come down here, so I made sure I had a day off on Tuesday instead,” said Fairley.
Street Power had not shown much in three starts but improved for being gelded as he hit the front at the two-pole.
He looked like he would assert his authority but his lead began to shrink and he only had a neck in hand of the fast-finishing Mr Chocolate Drop by the line.
“He had always promised this, but was a bit disappointing last time and got very jarred up on another run,” said Gask.
“We gelded him after the last run, as I have explained to the stewards. He’s still a bit green and there’d be no real plans – we’ll see how we go from here.”
The feature event, the £18,000 williamhill.com Sale – Better Odds! Handicap went to Aeroplane (2-1 favourite), given a textbook hold-up ride by girl of the moment Hayley Turner.
Turner did the same aboard Simon Callaghan’s charge at Lingfield a week ago and a 6lb penalty made no difference.
Turner said: “He’s not an easy ride but I was third on him here last year and ridden him a few times. I think I’ve sussed him now.”
Eddie Ahern is shortly to swap the drudgery of the all-weather circuit for sunnier climes but signed off with a double.
The Irishman was particularly cool aboard Gary Moore’s progressive stayer Wine n’Dine (6-4 favourite), who had plenty in hand over Salute in the Williamhill.com Sale – Why Bet Elsewhere? Handicap.
“I’ve just got a contract in Bahrain for one of Gerard Butler’s owners so I won’t be here much for the next couple of months,” said Ahern.
“I will be popping over to Nad Al Sheba for most of the meetings there.”
The William Hill Telebetting Sale 0800 44 40 40 Median Auction Maiden Stakes always looked in Ahern’s keeping as 7-4 favourite Five Star Junior gave Malton-based Linda Stubbs a winner from her first runner of the new year.
Desert Dreamer (15-8 favourite) was rediscovered the form he showed for Tom Dascombe last spring in the William Hill Telebetting Sale – Bonuses Galore! Claiming Stakes.
Moore completed a double through George Baker in the williamhill.com Sale - Daily Doubles Handicap as Blaise Tower (2-1 favourite) deprived Turner and Andean Margin close home.
