No stopping Iron Mike at Windsor
Hoh Mike survived the rain-softened conditions to book his place in the line-up for next month’s Royal Ascot meeting with a convincing display at Windsor this evening.
The regular Monday evening fixtures by the Thames usually prove a popular affair at this time of year but it was a sodden crowd who turned out to see the 1-4 favourite prove the starring act.
However, fears that the going, changed to ’good to soft, soft in places’ before racing after persistent rain throughout the previous 24 hours, could prove to be the undoing of the Michael Bell-trained colt proved wide of the mark in the Weatherbys Conditions Stakes.
Jamie Spencer’s mount proved harder to settle than his rider would have liked in the early stages of the five-furlong contest, but the result was hardly ever in doubt as he went clear from Lord Charles before being eased down to register a length-and-a-quarter verdict.
The runner-up, a useful yardstick himself, finished five lengths clear of the remainder.
“He’s a trainer’s dream – a very professional two-year-old,” Bell told Sky Sports after the race, before confirming the Norfolk Stakes over five furlongs as the target at the Royal meeting.
“He’s very strong and well-made and he’s a horse with a future, I think. He’s very tough and he will last all season. He handled the ground well.
“We’ll go straight to the Norfolk with him now. Jamie was impressed with him too, he said that he is a very nice two-year-old.”
Ogee, like Hoh Mike successful at the track seven days earlier, also followed up when taking the Smith & Williamson Handicap under Ryan Moore.
The 7-4 favourite was kicked into the lead two furlongs out and quickly took command, eventually being eased down in the final strides to score by five lengths.
“He’s a nice staying type for the future,” said Jimmy Scott, travelling head groom to winning trainer Sir Michael Stoute. “He handled the ground well and hopefully he can keep improving.”
Opinions were divided all night as to which side of the track offered the best of the ground.
But after Seb Sanders and Franksalot had appeared to benefit from sticking to the stands rail to win the six-furlong claimer, the field for the following Totesport Handicap all followed suit.
And favourite Terentia, who again stayed nearest to the rail, only had to be kept up to her work close home to account for her rivals under Richie Mullen.
The Ed McMahon-trained winner is unbeaten since being dropped back to five furlongs and looks a filly well on the upgrade, despite her trainer’s misgivings at her rapid rise up the ratings.
