Act heading for Irish Oaks
Playful Act may yet get her chance to bid for Classic glory after making a successful return to action in the bet365 Lancashire Oaks at Haydock Park today.
The John Gosden-trained filly rounded off last season with a Group One success in the Fillies’Mile at Ascotand went into winter quarters a leading fancy for both the 1000 Guineas and Vodafone Oaks.
However, she was forced to bypass those Classic races as she was slow to come to hand.
But after her battling victory in this afternoon’s Group Two contest she could now be aimed at the Darley Irish Oaks at the Curragh later this month.
Jimmy Fortune moved the 11-4 chance out to challenge over a furlong out and after hitting the front she was strongly pressed by Hidden Hope and Natalie Jane, but she stuck her neck out gamely and held on by a head and the same.
Gosden was delighted to see the Sangster family’s filly back in the winner’s circle.
He said: “She’s not back to her best yet. They were all a bit close, but she’s got there and done it, so full marks to her.
“We’ve had endless issues with her this year – she’s been slow to come to hand. Everyone has been patient and we’ve had to wait until July, but it has been worth it.
“We’ll see how she comes out of this. The plan is the Irish Oaks – that’s where we’d like to go.
“I’m delighted with her because she’s come here with the minimum preparation and she’s done it well.
“We’ll see what she’s like over the next 10 days and try and get her to the Irish Oaks, but she’ll need to step up again.
“The other possibility is the Yorkshire Oaks. It’s 15 days to Ireland, whereas you have a nice month to York.”
Ben Sangster, for the owners, added: “It’s been a long wait, but it’s been worth waitng for. Jimmy said she got a little bit tired in the last furlong, which is not surprising.”
Fortune believes there is better to come from the daughter of Sadler’s Wells.
He said: “It was great to win on her comeback race, but she’s not quite there yet.
“On her best form she wold have whooshed past them, but it’s very encouraging and she should improve for it.”
Gosden also saddled Shastye, who finished fifth, and Ribblesdale Stakes second Twyla Tharp, who was last.
He added: “Shastye retires to the paddocks after her next start in the Aphrodite. She ran a blinder and just got run out of it.
“I think the Ribblesdale was a little close for Twyla Tharp.”
Godolphin’s Punctilious, the 5-2 favourite, beat only Twyla Tharp home.
Zeitgeist ran out the convincing winner of the bet365 Old Newton Cup to give trainer Luca Cumani his second consecutive victory in the historic event.
The Newmarket-based handler won the £75,000 contest 12 months ago with Alkaased, and Zeitgeist followed up in a first-time visor with a comfortable two-length call over Red Lancer.
Nicky Mackay settled the 9-1 shot just behind the leaders but early in the straight he looked to be in trouble as he went for his whip.
However, once switched on to the far rail over two furlongs out, the four-year-old soon quickened clear and the race was over.
Mackay said: “He was hanging quite early on so I just gave him two smacks to try and keep him straight, and he’s come good again. The visor helped and he’s done it quite easily.”
The Geezer, an honourable second to Motivator in the Dante Stakes and a slightly-unlucky third at Royal Ascot at York, came good in the H20 July Trophy.
David Elsworth’s charge was sent off at 1-2 for this Listed race but he was made to work hard for his one-length win over Italian challenger Eraser.
Richard Quinn had to ride the favourite strongly to get his head in front over a furlong out, and he then had to keep The Geezer up to his work to hold on.
“The ground was a bit too quick for him. He was climbing and rolling andhe’s made it look like hard work,” Quinn said. “He could do with some cut in the ground.”
Paddy Power were unimpressed and eased The Geezer to 12-1 from 10s for the Ladbrokes St Leger.
Danzili Bay (5-1) showed improved form to run out a cosy winner of the Duke Of Lancaster’s Own Yeomanry Handicap.
Peter Chapple-Hyam’s colt produced a personal best under Jamie Spencer to beat Bold Marc by a length and a half after hitting the front with more than two of the six furlongs left to go.
“That was a good performance, even though he had the run of the race,” Spencer said. “I got a nice lead and he quickened up nice at the end. Hopefully there should be another handicap in him down the line.
“He’s an improving three-year-old who is going the right way.”
