Boy from Brazil lights up York
Silvestre de Sousa lit up a damp, grey final meeting at York today with a 1,983-1 four-timer on Oceanway, Bannock, Orsippus and Licence To Till.
The Brazilian is in the middle of a three-way battle to be crowned champion jockey but he feels he cannot catch Paul Hanagan and Kieren Fallon - especially as he has a riding ban to serve - but he nevertheless took his tally to 137 for the year.
Three of his winners were for trainer Mark Johnston while Orsippus was for Michael Smith.
Bannock (5-2 favourite) bounced back to form in the coral.co.uk Rockingham Stakes after disappointing in the Redcar Two-Year-Old Trophy last Saturday.
He put that effort behind him to capture this Listed race in good style by two lengths from Miss Lahar.
"He had a problem in the middle of the season. Bobby Elliott was trotting him and his rein broke and the horse hit a wall and cut his leg," said Johnston's wife and assistant Deirdre.
"We just ran out of time to put the finishing touches to him for Redcar. We weren't sure he was 100% then or not, but that brought him on for today.
"As he's had a big holiday mid-season, I'd like to see him run again this year.
"He's fit and well now so he might have another run. His form has been solid so we'll look forward to his next run."
Oceanway (7-2) battled on bravely to take the Green Tick For Better Odds At coral.co.uk Handicap by three-quarters of a length from Weapon Of Choice.
"We had a double at this meeting last year and I thought the trip and the ground would be fine for her," said Mrs Johnston.
Grade One-winning hurdler Orsippus (20-1) warmed up for another winter campaign by outstaying his rivals in the coral.co.uk Green Tick Win More Every Race Stakes, beating Valid Reason by two and a quarter lengths.
"He's been in the field for two months but I've brought him in every night. He's too precious to leave out," said Northumberland-based Smith.
"I gave him a holiday after he ran flat at Newcastle (in May). He'll go to Ascot in mid-November (for the Coral Hurdle) and then the Relkeel at Cheltenham."
Licence To Till (5-1) completed a fantastic foursome by holding Jo'burg by a head in the Coldstream Guards Association Cup.
"What a day and Colour Vision (third) ran a great race in the Cesarewitch," added Mrs Johnston.
"I thought we were beat there. What a honest horse."
Sirius Prospect made mincemeat of the opposition in the Coral Sprint Trophy.
Dean Ivory's progressive three-year-old came from last to first with a telling turn of foot on the stands side to win in tremendous style.
The 13-2 favourite had plenty to do two furlongs from home but once Shane Kelly steered him through a gap the race was over.
He galloped on strongly to beat Kaldoun Kingdom, winner of this race two years ago, by two and a quarter lengths.
"We did have problems with him at the start, but with a bit of TLC and taking him back time after time, it's worked out for us," said Ivory, celebrating his first ever winner on the Knavesmire.
"He's a serious horse and he's got the will to win.
"To win like that was fantastic. It wasn't a normal handicap. We'll have to step him up in class now. He's only a three-year-old and has been lightly-raced. Look at the ground he made up.
"I'd like him to go for a Listed race (Wentworth Stakes) at Doncaster on November 5. We'll see how he is."
Mickdaam (9-4 favourite) started to repay a little of his 360,000 guineas purchase price by opening his account in the Bet On Your Mobile With Coral EBF "Sakhee" Maiden Stakes under champion jockey Hanagan.
"He's still a baby but he did it well and he'll be a nice horse next year. He'll stay at least a mile and a quarter," said trainer Richard Fahey's assistant Robin O'Ryan.
Herefordshire trainer Ed de Giles had his first winner on the Knavesmire from his first runner when Living It Large (20-1) battled to victory in the coral.co.uk Handicap for apprentice John Fahy.
