Hannon team on fire at HQ
Saturday 28th July, 2007
Richard Hannon jnr - delighted with stable's hot streak
TRAINER Richard Hannon notched four wins inside 24 hours on the July Course to underline the flying form of his string.
Fat Boy, Elna Bright, Bajan Pride and Medley all visited the winner's circle and Hannon has now registered 12 victories in the last fortnight.
Richard Hannon jnr, assistant to his father, was on hand to saddle all four, starting on Friday night with Elna Bright who, for good measure, led home stable-mate Talk Of Saafend in the Unicorn Asset Management July Course Series nursery (qualifier).
The second strike was provided by Fat Boy, who took the gloss of one or two big reputations when scoring by three-quarters of a length in the European Breeders' Fund conditions stakes. Bajan Pride completed a hat-trick on the day by bagging the NGK Spark Plugs handicap.
Another day, a similar story as on Saturday afternoon the Hannon-trained Medley showed a good attitide to land the Thoroughbred Breedxers' Association Golf Day fillies' handicap.
Francesca D'Gorgio put up arguably the display of the day as she bolted up in the NSPCC-sponsored median auction maiden. Her Newmarket trainer Jeremy Noseda expects to take the filly to the Lowther Stakes next.
Another smart prospect could be Roger Charlton's charge Fifteen Love, a ready winner of the first division of the NSPCC EBF maiden. The second division saw a thrilling finale in which Menadha dead-heated with the newcomer Autocue.
Perhaps the biggest cheer of the two days - apart from the one given to the Pet Shop Boys after their post-racing concert - was raised by Classic Punch. The half-brother to legendary staying hero Persian Punch is doing his bit to add to his family's history and followed up his win in the Ladbrokes Fred Archer Stakes with victory in the TurfTV Conditions Stakes.
His trainer David Elsworth summed up: “He shows a lot of similar characteristics to his illustrious brother - he battles."
Racing returns to the July Course next Friday - August 3 - when Jools Holland will pay his annual visit, accompanied by special guest Lulu.
Written by Tony Rushmer