Drop on the Derby trail
Dreams of the premier Classic were sparked at Windsor yesterday when The Last Drop showed himself to be a decent middle-distance colt in the making with victory in the Arena Leisure Maiden Stakes.
The son of Derby hero Galileo put his stamina to good use in beating Summer’s Eve by one and a quarter lengths and could follow the route of his father as he holds entries in the Dante Stakes and in the Vodafone-sponsored showpiece at Epsom in June.
Charlie Hills, assistant to his father Barry, said of the 100-30 winner: “This will have done him a lot of good and he would really appreciate even further than this mile and a quarter.
“We’ve some nice three-year-olds this season, including some who will be out either at Newbury at the weekend or next week at Newmarket, but this horse would be among the best.
“His owner, Jack Hanson, would love to have another runner in the Derby and he might well end up there.”
Mark Wallace has started the new Flat season with a spring in his step as he bids to erase memories of a disastrous 2005 for his Newmarket team.
The trainer managed just a total of seven winners in the whole of last year but is already on to five now with all but the entire season still to go.
Espartano looked an above-average newcomer when sprinting away with the opening Goldring Security Maiden Stakes.
Ridden by Jamie Spencer, the 4-1 chance tacked across towards the stands rail from his draw in stall one and pounced at the furlong-pole to quicken clear from Oi Vay Joe and score by two and a half lengths, with fast-finishing Camissa narrowly getting up for second.
“I was walking my box before this one, because I think he’s very good,” said Wallace of the son of Vettori. “He wants fast ground and had a bad draw and I was getting a bit concerned but I think he’s all right.
“Jamie reckons he’s a proper horse and he’s not a bad judge and we might just go for a Listed race at the Curragh now on May 1, unless Aidan O’Brien is going to run something brilliant in it.
“He’s only done three bits of work in his life and he can only improve. I bought him myself. He’s not by the most fashionable sire in the world but he’s got a very good attitude and he takes everything well.”
Having failed to reach her reserve price at the sales, Rod Millman was delighted to welcome Auwitesweetheart back to his Devon yard.
The trainer was even more pleased to see the 12-1 chance score first time out in the five-furlong Feltons Chartered Accountants Tax No Handicap.
“She likes a bit of cut over five furlongs and Alan (Munro) gave her a great ride again. He really is a valuable member of the team,” said Millman.
Johnny Portman found a good opportunity for the hitherto-disappointing Bob’s Your Uncle to break his duck in the At The Races laiming Stakes.
Although the gelding had been unplaced in all nine previous starts, the way the 8-1 chance did the job under Ryan Moore suggested further victories might not be out of the question.
Nick Littmoden’s team have been running well on the all-weather and struck for the first time on turf this year when, having finished second in the claimer, the yard quickly followed up with a 14-1 winner when Wavertree Warrior took the Crimestopper Handicap.
His rider James Doyle completed a double in the concluding Come Racing Every Monday This Summer Handicap when scoring aboard 20-1 chance Nautical.
