Racing Centre

Sir Gerry bids to take step up the ladder

SIR GERRY will be out to boost his already sizeable reputation when he contests the European Breeders’ Fund Conditions Stakes at Newmarket tomorrow night (July 27).

The two-year-old Carson City colt, trained in Newmarket by James Fanshawe (pictured above), ran with a significant amount of promise on his debut at Thirsk at the start of the month, coming home a three-length winner.

His latest assignment is a step up on that maiden success but entries in the Group 1 National Stakes and the Group 2 Gincrack Stakes underline that he is well thought of by connections.

His five rivals in the six-furlong event (6.05) are also past winners and include the useful Cee Bargara, who ran exceptionally well in the Coventry Stakes.

Lambourn trainer Jamie Osborne’s charge came sixth in that Group 2, beaten just over three lengths by Henrythenavigator, who is to the fore of the ante-post market for next year‘s Stan James 2000 Guineas..

The most valuable race on the card is the mile-and-a-half TurfTV Conditions Stakes (8.10) with almost £10,000 available to winning connections.

Again, it is a small but select field with Godolphin - who won the race last year with Guadalajara - sending out The Geezer, second in the 2005 St Leger.

He looked a very smart three-year-old, landing a Group 3 among four success that season. But he has only been lightly-campaigned since then and hasn’t added to his tally, despite a fine effort at Pontefract last month.

Classic Punch is the potentially intriguing runner, open to considerable improvement. The David Elsworth-trained half-brother to the legendary Persian Punch made a winning return to action when taking the Ladbrokes Fred Archer Stakes. That Listed triumph came after over 270 days off the track and it will be fascinating to see if he can make similar progress to his famous sibling.

Two-year-olds looking to make their way up the ladder will take centre-stage in the Unicorn Aseet Management July Course Series nursery. Dan Tucket is already a course and distance winner of a similar race and is likely to take plenty of beating but the progressive Runswick Boy and the Luca Cumani-trained Mahusay could give him plenty to think about.

For more information on the Unicorn Asset Management Series click here

The seven-race card commences with the Bollinger Champagne Challenge Series handicap (for gentleman amateurs) event (5.40). After the last - the NGK Spark Plugs handicap (8.45) - enduring top-class pop act the Pet Shop Boys will play their way through many of the hits that have found them worldwide fame.

There are still tickets available for Friday 27th July. Tickets for all enclosures will be available on the gate. Gates open at 3.15pm.

By Tony Rushmer