Racing Centre

HENRY Cecil has his team firing and this afternoon saw him land a first two-year-old success of the term with Unnefer taking the seven-furlong intercasino.co.uk maiden on the July Course.

The Danehill Dancer colt came home with two-and-a-half lengths to spare to indicate a bright future. Indeed, Cecil’s charge could be back over course and distance on July 13 in the Group 2 Superlative Stake.

Cecil said: “I am very pleased with him and hope he will go on improving. He liked that bit of give in the ground today. We will see how he comes out of this but the Superlative Stakes is a possibility - time will tell.”

The ride of the day was provided by apprentice Jerry O’Dwyer who overcame potential for early disaster on Steam Cuisine to land the seven-furlong Play Blackjack At intercasino.co.uk handicap.

O’Dwyer lost an iron not long after breaking from the stalls and appeared as if he might slip off his mount. But the 3lb claimer quickly regained his balance and came from last to first, springing a 33-1 shock victory for locally-based trainer Mick Quinlan.

Noel Quinlan, assistant to his brother, said: “She was a nice filly last year but has taken time to come to hand. I expected her to come good but I thought she wanted another month. We will try and win another handicap with her and then squeeze a bit of black type later on if we can.”

The previous evening had seen the start of the renowned ‘Newmarket Night’ at the July Course. Aussie rock band INXS were in top form after a card which provided similarly exciting entertainment.

The promising Shifting Star broke his duck at the second time of asking when coming home with a length-and-a-quarter to spare in the Unicorn Asset Management July Course Series maiden.

His rider Adam Kirby said: “He is a lovely horse and gave me a great ride. He is a proper professional. He travelled nicely and quickened up really well. Hopefully he will go on to bigger and better things.”

But the star of the equine show was The Grey Berry, who flagged up the success trainer Tim Walford - better known on the jumps circuit - is having with his small Flat team. The grey gelding made it back-to-back wins when securing victory in the Chelmsford City FC handicap.

Yorkshire-based Walford said: “He has the best temperament of any horse I’ve ever had. He came down today, had a drink and then slept for two or three hours before waking up to win his race!”

Don’t forget that next Friday - June 29 - sees the Sugababes in concert after the action on the track.

By Tony Rushmer