Evie swoops for super Spencer
Michael Bell’s continued faith in Red Evie was rewarded when the admirable filly completed a full set of victories at every level when landing the CGA Hungerford Stakes at Newbury.
She had flopped twice since winning the Lockinge Stakes at the Berkshire track in May but the Newmarket trainer was in doubt that she had not lost interest in racing.
And so it proved as she came up with a Group Two success that had been the only omission from her CV.
Responding to Jamie Spencer’s late, late request, she nailed Welsh Emperor right on the line.
Red Evie was still trapped towards the back of the field with just a furlongs to go as Wake Up Maggie, Stronghold and then Welsh Emperor came to the fore, but she got her nose in front where it mattered.
“She’s won every race she can win now – a maiden, a handicap, conditions race, Listed, Group Three, now this Group Two – and obviously she has won her two Group Ones,” said Bell.
“I wouldn’t think there are many horses do that.
“She’s a notoriously poor worker but she steps up on the track and Jamie gets a really good tune out of her.
“I just told him to get there on the ’jam stick’ and he’s ridden a superb race to win by a matter of inches, millimetres even.
“We’ll go back for the Matron in Ireland now, and then look at the seven-furlong race (Prix de la Foret) on Arc weekend.
“She will then go to the November Sales.”
Things were more straightforward for Spencer in the CGA Ladies Day Handicap as Mark Johnston’s progressive Lovelace came with a strong run down the centre of the track for a one-length victory.
He also enabled the Paul Cole-trained Pippa Greene (9-2) to retain her unbeaten status with a powerful drive to take the concluding Mirage Signs Handicap for his 1141/2-1 hat-trick.
Not to be outdone, current champion Ryan Moore delivered a masterclass of his own on the notoriously difficult Papal Bull in the Group Three CGA Geoffrey Freer Stakes.
Moore kept Sir Michael Stoute’s colt (6-4 favourite) wound-up until the furlong pole but once unleashed, he quickly took four lengths out of the front-running Shahin.
“He’s got his quirks but you’ve just got to let him get on with it,” said Moore.
“If he wants to do it, he will.”
The Dettori-ridden Sharp Nephew joined an illustrious roll of honour that includes Classic winners Haafhd and Lammtarra by capturing the Usk Valley Stud Stakes (registered as the Washington Singer).
The 7-2 joint-favourite, who also won his previous start at Windsor, is the only horse Brian Meehan has this year for Saleh Al Homeizi and Imad Al Sagar, the owners of Derby winner Authorized.
Meehan reported: “Frankie said he’d get a mile and he’s very progressive. There are plenty of big options now – the Champagne, the Dewhurst, and France.”
Spencer was found to have caused interference aboard third-placed Scintillo and will be out of action from August 30 to September 1.
The ice-cool jockey had further cause for celebration at Pontefract on Sunday, however, with a sparkling 23-1 treble on Mister Fips, Parisian Dream and Zifaaf.
Philip Robinson rolled back the years when Clive Cox’s Kostar landed the spoils in a nailbiting finish to the £60,000 William Hill Great St Wilfred Stakes at Ripon – the first leg of a 1801/2-1 treble.
The six-year-old made virtually all and held off the determined challenge of Obe Brave by a short head.
Robinson said: “I won this race back in 1983 on Robert Armstrong’s Never So Bold, who went onto win some top-class races.
“There was fresh ground on that far side and although Kostar would have preferred it a bit quicker he coped with it.”
Robinson completed his treble on the Michael Jarvis-trained pair of Malyana in the EBF Fillies’ Handicap and Black Rock in the Ripon Cathedral Handicap.
Over in Deauville, Proviso leapt to 8-1 favourite for the Stan James 1000 Guineas after her eyecatching success over Peter Chapple-Hyam’s Laureldean Gale in the Prix du Calvados.
Myboycharlie also illustrated his Classic credentials with a flawless win in the Darley Prix Morny on Sunday.
Tommy Stack’s runner is now joint-favourite for the Stan James 2000 Guineas following his impressive two-length verdict over Natagora.
“He did it superbly well and everything went to plan, thank God,” said Fozzy Stack, son and assistant to the winning trainer.
“I’m delighted and I felt Kieren gave him a perfect ride – he also really enjoyed himself on that ground.
“Everything is now open to him and obviously the Guineas would be a long-term possibility.”
She’s Our Mark (5-1) got back on the winning trail to end a frustrating run of four seconds when landing the Group Three Desmond Stakes at Leopardstown.
Recording her third success of the season, Pat Flynn’s filly came strong in the final furlong to beat Eastern Appeal by half a length in the hands of Danny Grant.
The Kevin Prendergast-trained Haatef, the 13-8 favourite, was only third.
Flynn said: “She’s a fantastic, unreal filly.
“I told the owners a long time ago that she’s one of the best fillies I’ve ever trained.
“We decided to hold her up and let the others do the running.
“We decided to avoid Goodwood as she was heavily in season and she will next go for the Matron Stakes (at Leopardstown on September 8).”
Flynn and Grant completed a 77-1 double when Baby Blue Eyes (12-1) was a smooth winner of the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Hurry Harriet Stakes.
A jubilant Flynn said: “She’s getting stronger all the time.
“She couldn’t handle the ground at Galway last time and she’s improved a lot since then.
“She will next go for a Listed fillies’ race at the Curragh.”
Earlier on the card, Mores Wells narrowly won a thrilling race for the Ballyroan Stakes at Leopardstown.
Prendergast said: “He’ll go for the Irish Leger next at the Curragh. It may be a tall order but he’s a progressive horse and should have no problem staying.”
