Dettori strikes for odds-on backers
Frankie Dettori teamed up with Mahmood Al Zarooni's Introvert to land odds of 1-4 in division one of the Ashurst Wood Median Auction Maiden Stakes at Lingfield today.
The market leader had been turned over on his first two racecourse appearances but was much more streetwise on this occasion and made all to brush aside 25-1 chance Tagansky by a length and a quarter.
The trainer's representative, Andre Pereira, said: "He is still a bit backward and has a bit of growing to do, but he is a nice horse."
Godolphin's royal blue silks were also responsible for the winner of division two as Dettori clung on by a short head aboard Rutterkin.
The 3-1 chance was poised to win a shade cosily turning for home after breaking well from the stalls, but the petrol gauge flicked to empty inside the distance and Dettori's mount just held the fast-finishing Jacobs Son.
The winning jockey commented: "He looked like he was going to win easily but he emptied out for some reason and it was a struggle."
Old favourite Dvinsky registered his 16th career win on his 158th start as he defied top weight in the six-furlong Godstone Handicap.
The Ian Mongan-ridden 14-1 chance came with a late dash to sweep by the front-running Not My Choice and the nine-year-old passed the judge with three-quarters of a length in hand to provide trainer Paul Howling with his first win in 62 days.
Howling said: "He was an expensive horse for Michael Tabor when he was younger but wasn't very good.
"I bought him after he had won a couple of races and he has been a revelation.
"He loves the all-weather and has won over £100,000 now which is amazing."
Scottish Glen (12-1) broke his duck stepped out of maiden company as he flew late to take the five-furlong Hindleap Walk Handicap.
Patrick Chamings' half-brother to Lush Lashes benefited from the fast-and-furious pace set by Island Legend and Pressed For Time to pick the pair off and deny 13-8 favourite Green Velvet by a head.
Chamings said: "He had a smashed knee when he was younger so we gave him time. That was just his fourth run and it is lovely to see him win.
"This wasn't the plan and I did want to run in the previous race over a furlong further."
