Handicap snip Spartacus books Irish trip
Im Spartacus looked to be a handicap snip before the betfair.com Stakes at York today and so it proved as the Chester runner-up battled to a convincing victory.
As from tomorrow Im Spartacus will race off a rating of 105 as a result of his short-head second to leading Vodafone Derby fancy Gypsy King in last week’s Dee Stakes, and therefore on figures he was 21lb well-in here.
Despite his favourable mark David Flood’s charge was sent off at the relatively generous price of 9-4.
He appeared to be struggling early in the straight, but once Jamie Spencer got to work the gelding responded gamely to lead a furlong out before drawing away to score by two and a half lengths from Kames Park.
With the success Im Spartacus booked his ticket for a trip to Ireland later this month.
Flood said: “I’ve entered him for the Gallinule a week next Sunday and that’s where we go next.
“He can be very lazy and that’s why he had blinkers on when I first got him, but he is very genuine and when Jamie gave him a tap he said there was no doubt he was going to win.
“I thought coming up the straight ‘God’, but it all worked out fine and I’m thrilled to bits.”
Spencer made it a double at odds of almost 22-1 when getting ex-invalid Soldier’s Tale (6-1) home in front in the Constant Security Handicap.
The season’s leading rider had to work hard to get Jeremy Noseda’s lightly-raced four-year-old up to beat Fonthill Road by a short head.
Soldier’s Tale was having his first run since winning here 366 days ago after almost losing his life.
“He fractured a leg last year when I was getting him ready to run at Royal Ascot and then he got colic and he nearly died twice,” Noseda explained.
“It’s thanks to everyone, my staff, who sat up all night with him, and the people at Rossdales the vets. He was there for two months fighting for his life, and just to get him back to a racecourse I’m so thrilled.
“All I wanted to happen today was for him to come home in one piece, and I’m happy.
“We’ve always liked the horse and when he won at this meeting last year he looked like a top horse.
“A lot has gone wrong in his life since then and whether he’ll ever do what he should have done we’ll have to see.”
Peeress ran out the impressive winner of the Michael Seely Memorial Fillies’ Stakes, much to the delight of trainer Sir Michael Stoute and Chris Richardson, racing manager to owners the Cheveley Park Stud.
Michael Kinane was always cruising on the daughter of Pivotal in the seven-furlong Listed contest before moving smoothly into the lead over a furlong out.
Once in command the 13-8 favourite stretched clear to beat Dumnoni by two and a half lengths on ground officially described as good to soft.
Stoute’s runners have failed to distinguish themselves on the Knavesmire this week and he said: “Mine haven’t been performing very well on this ground but the Pivotals seem to handle it OK.”
He added: “I like the way this filly is going.”
Stoute also had news of his beaten 2000 Guineas hope Rob Roy, and said: “He’ll be off for a while – he has very sore shins.”
In contrast to the achievements of the likes of Chorist, Russian Rhythm and Chic over the last two years, the Cheveley Park Stud runners have so far failed to cover themselves in glory this term.
A relieved Richardson said: “It’s nice to see the colours getting in the winner’s enclosure again.
“We’ve had two fantastic seasons and you think it is going to go on, but everybody has their turn.”
Of Peeress, he added: “This is a nice filly. We always thought she would improve as a lot of the Pivotals do and she’s got a couple of smart entries. She’s in the Windsor Forest at the Royal meeting, so we’ll have to see.”
Bow Bridge just edged out Gamble In Gold in a thrilling finish to the Langleys Solicitors EBF Marygate Stakes.
Mick Easterby’s speedy youngster got home by a short head after making virtually all the running under Dale Gibson and she is now on course to return to the Knavesmire for Royal Ascot at York.
“I’m shocked,” was Easterby’s immediate post-race comment after greeting the 9-2 winner. “She’s so slow at home. It’s absolutely incredible. She never gets above a canter at home and she’s won three now.
“She probably goes for the Queen Mary Stakes, or the Hilary Needler.”
Cashmans offer 10-1 about Bow Bridge’s chances of winning the Queen Mary at the Royal meeting.
Mark Tompkins, who saddled Franklins Gardens to win the feature Emirates Airline Yorkshire Cup, doubled up at 81.5-1 when Mineral Star (10-1) landed the GWP Architecture Stakes under a good ride from Jamie Mackay.
“He was a bit keen last time so I told Jamie today just to drop him in and give him a chance and he did it well, the little boy,” said Tompkins.
“This is quite a nice horse but we won’t be in a rush with him because he’s a horse for the future.”
