Triple triumph suits Haggas
William Haggas put down a good marker for his strong Royal Ascot team as Triple Aspect landed the Agfa Healthcare Scurry Stakes over Sandown’s flying five furlongs.
The Newmarket trainer has a powerful squad to go to war with in Berkshire next week, but is already plotting ahead into July with Triple Aspect who has the Sandown Park Sprint Stakes on his agenda.
The Danetime colt improved all through last summer to capture a Group Three in France on his final start, before coming undone on his seasonal bow on softish ground at Newbury.
But with his hooves rattling, the 15-8 favourite snatched the lead from Kevin Ryan’s Jargelle inside the distance to run out a tidy two and a quarter length winner.
Haggas said: “He doesn’t like soft ground but is a very, very genuine horse with guts and ability.
“I think five furlongs suits him best as he gets outpaced and is going nowhere, before suddenly getting going.
“We will bring him back here for a five-furlong Group Three race on Coral-Eclipse day.”
Shane Donohoe, a former head lad to Paul Nicholls and now training in Cavan to the north west of Dublin, struck gold with his first Sandown runner as Richard Hughes ensured Royal Intruder (11-2) returned to form in the toteexacta Handicap.
Donohoe commented: “He ran at Salisbury on Tuesday, and Richard said he would ride if we came here – and the rider certainly won that.”
William Jarvis greeted a welcome winner as Clerk’s Choice caused a 20-1 upset in the toteplacepot Handicap.
Jarvis has endured a slow start to 2009 but was all smiles after Clerk’s Choice ended a 23-day winless stretch for the Newmarket trainer when breaking his maiden tag under Jim Crowley.
“I couldn’t believe his price, but that was because I haven’t been in great form,” said Jarvis.
“We had a major hiccup in the spring and the horses have taken time to hit form, but they are getting there now and I am delighted for my long-standing owner Michael Banks.”
A trip from deepest Devon to the Esher circuit appears to bring out the best in Brassini and the grey clocked up his second course victory in the toteswinger Handicap.
Rod Millman’s four-year-old enjoyed his last success at the track during the runner of 2008, and has run well here numerous times in defeat.
Sent to the front by Alan Munro climbing the hill to the line, the 5-1 chance defeated Richard Fahey’s Quest For Success by a length, with Dingaan flying late to finish a head back in third.
Munro said: “I could hear Dingaan coming late on but mine had plenty left in the tank. He started dossing coming past the furlong pole and had been out in front for a long time.”
Yorkshire trainer Fahey had also been involved in the finish to the totescoop6 Handicap as his 3-1 favourite Kyllachy Star overcame trouble in running to score in the hands of Tony Hamilton.
Hamilton and Eddie Ahern, rider of runner-up Greensward, were both stood down for one day (June 27th) for separate incidents of careless riding.
A neck and the same separated Brooklyn Spirit, Clive Cox’s 33-1 winner of the totesport Home Of Pool Betting Maiden Stakes, from Troopingthecolour and Secret Life at the line, while Callisto Moon defied his 20-1 starting price to capture the Bet On Royal Ascot At totesport.com Handicap.
