Aria hits winning note
Glorious Goodwood is on the horizon and Eastern Aria is likely to appear in Mark Johnston’s team for the Sussex Downs spectacular after her gutsy triumph in the Plantation Stud Stakes at Newmarket.
The meeting has proved a more than happy hunting ground for the Scotsman over the years with Eastern Aria winning in handicap company there last summer before she jetted to Canada to take fourth in the EP Taylor Stakes.
Those efforts were somewhat superior to her 2010 campaign but the 7-1 chance put her best foot forward under Richard Hills and kept up the momentum at the head of affairs to see off Snoqualmie Girl and Lady Artemisia by a length and a neck.
Johnston’s assistant, Jock Bennett, said: “She showed some really good form last year and finished fourth in a Group One in Canada but lost her way for no obvious reason.
“She looked well before this and is back to near where she was last year.
“Today was the plan but we will probably look at Goodwood for her now.”
Dever Dream (11-2) returned to winning ways in the EBF Fillies’ Handicap after finishing third in Listed company at Warwick three weeks earlier.
William Haggas’ three-year-old was chasing a four-timer when finishing behind Seta last month and regained the upper hand as Eddie Ahern produced her to nab Flambeau on the line.
Haggas said: “She is a really tough and improving filly, who loves fast ground.
“Six furlongs is her trip and we will look for a better race now and I may send her to Pontefract on August 15 for the Flying Fillies’ Stakes.”
Jean-Pierre Guillambert excelled aboard Start Right as Luca Cumani’s three-year-old landed the Racing UK Handicap.
The jockey provided the 13-2 chance with plenty of cover dropped back to a mile, and brought him through with a strong challenge inside the distance to account for Rakaan by half a length.
Cumani said: “He deserves that as he was a little unlucky at Goodwood earlier in the season and he got no cover here last time.
“Everything went according to plan today and JP got him plenty of cover and gave him a lovely ride.”
After finishing runner-up on his previous four racecourse appearances, Soviet Secret displayed a determined will to win as the 15-8 favourite claimed a half-length victory over Al Muthanaa in the Box Clever Display Maiden Stakes.
Winning trainer Charlie McBride said: “Now he has got the monkey off his back he can hopefully win again.
“Dropping back to seven furlongs has probably helped him but I wouldn’t be afraid of going an easy mile with him.”
Mick Channon’s Fight The Chance (4-1) successfully made all in the Jaber Abdullah silks to score at the fourth attempt in the Lettergold Maiden Stakes under Chris Catlin.
Channon’s son Michael commented: “Even though that is his fourth run he is still improving and is a likeable type.”
Curacao won his first race since hitting the target at Salisbury last year when obliging as the 5-2 joint favourite in the Atkinson Bolton Handicap, with Five Star Junior (9-2) having too much pace for the rest in the five-furlong Dodson & Horrell Handicap.
