Cumani charge is impressive Listed scorer
Thursday 4th October, 2007
Lion Sands - victorious in the Noel Murless Stakes on October 4
LION SANDS lit up the opening day of the Cambridgeshire meeting with a relentless galloping display that earned him victory in the Grove Farm Stud Noel Murless Stakes.
Luca Cumani’s charge, the 6-4 favourite, benefited from a solid tempo to the mile-and-six-furlong Listed contest as he powered from out the back to hit the front late on in the hands of Ryan Moore.
The Newmarket-based trainer said: “Finally, he got a properly run race. All he needs is a fast pace and the only other time he has had that was when he won his maiden at Haydock.
“I think we will now put him away until next year. There is still the Jockey Club Cup but today he has done what he needed to do.”
Trainer Eve Johnson Houghton was overjoyed after Judd Street gave her a first Listed triumph, The Compton Place gelding, who overcame a serious stomach disorder during last winter, nailed a neck victory from Rowe Park in the G4S Rous Stakes.
Johnson Houghton, notching her 20th triumph of the season, said: “What a star! He was really ill and in the vets for four weeks. We thought we might lose him and certainly didn’t think he’d race this year. But he has come back really well and is improving as these sprinters can. ”
We may have witnessed a star of the future in Twice Over, who struck by two lengths in the Voute Sales maiden. The Henry Cecil-trained son of Observatory was immediately introduced into the betting for next year’s Stan James 2000 Guineas (33-1) and also the Derby (33-1).
The day’s other winners were Shabiba (EBF Grand Prix White Turf St Moritz maiden), Blackat Blackitten (Newmarket racecourses.co.uk handicap) Angus Newz (EBF Fillies’ handicap) and Kahara (TurfTV handicap).
Racing resumes on the NatWest Rowley Mile course at 1.05pm on Friday, October 5. A bumper nine-race card includes the Shadwell Middle Park Stakes and the skybet.com Cheveley Park Stakes - both Group 1s.
By Tony Rushmer
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