Saturday 14th August 2010
Dafeef lands the feature for Godolphin
DAFEEF took the feature National Stud handicap for the in-form Goldophin team under jockey Ted Durcan.
It was the connections' second winner of the day, having struck with Signs In The Sands in the opening maiden.
Trained by Saeed Bin Suroor, the son of Medicean (8/1) had some useful form in the book but was unproven on the ground and looked to have it to do today against the unbeaten favourite, Bated Breath.
Durcan settled Dafeef towards the rear alongside the favourite and he made steady headway towards the stands side, coming through to lead inside the final furlong.
Bated Breath had encountered trouble in running and was flying towards the finish but Durcan’s mount was not stopping and held on to win by a neck.
Diana Cooper representing Godolphin said: “He showed a good attitude today but the ground and draw suited. A stiff six (furlongs) is perfect for him and he enjoyed it today which is key.”
Signs In The Sand had earlier run out the ready winner of the European Breeders’ Fund maiden. The son of Cape Cross was well backed for his debut at Goodwood back in May but was unsuited by the fast going that day and has not been seen since.
He looked much more at home on today’s soft surface and settled well in front. At halfway Durcan quickened the tempo and Signs In The Sand lengthened well to score unchallenged by six lengths.
Cooper said: “That was a very nice performance. He got very jarred up at Goodwood and much preferred the cut in the ground here. The experience stood him in good stead today and we’ll just take in slowly with him.”
Traffic Guard returned to winning ways with an impressive victory in the Mickey Flynn’s American Pool Hall Conditions Stakes in the hands of Jamie Spencer.
The Paul Cole-trained horse was third in the Glorious Stakes last time out and took advantage of this drop in class to gain his first win of 2010.
Spencer tracked the pace set by Classic Punch before taking over the running with two furlongs left to run. Traffic Guard quickened up in taking fashion and went on to win easily by 11 lengths.
Spencer said: “He hasn’t won for a while but did it easily today. He will probably go up in class after this and hopefully can win a big one before the end of the year.”
The annual running of the Racing Welfare Grey Horse handicap is always an exciting spectacle and this year proved no different.
Grey horses were spread right across the track and going into the final furlong there were at least six in with a chance of taking the lion’s share of £20,000. But the spoils were taken by the Tony Newcombe-trained Witchry (5/1) in the hands of jockey David Probert.
The son of Green Desert was second in the race two years ago and was produced late on the scene by Probert who got a good tune out of his mount, getting him up by a head.
A delighted Newcombe said: “He is probably the best bred horse in the world being by Green Desert and out of champion racemare in Indian Skimmer. We picked him up for only £2,000 and he has given us a great day today.”
Young apprentice John Fahy made it four wins from just 10 rides on the July Course when taking the Burghley Horse Trials handicap on Kalk Bay.
The William Haggas-trained colt made it two wins on the bounce having won his maiden at Chepstow nine days ago.
Yes Chef raced alone on the near side and the rest of the field were led by Veni Vedi Veci in the middle of the track.
Kalk Bay travelled strongly throughout and stayed on well in the ground to wear down Yes Chef to win by two and a quarter lengths.
Maureen, wife of the winning trainer, said: “I am not sure he really liked the ground because it is like a glue pot but it’s good to get another win with him.”
Loki’s Revenge opened his account with a smooth win in the WT’S Snooker and Sporting Club Nursery for trainer William Jarvis and jockey Steve Drowne.
The son of Kyllachy finished third at Lingfield just four days ago but produced a career best effort to lose his maiden tag this afternoon.
Drowne settled Loki’s Revenge just behind the leaders. He was still full of running going into the Dip and eased into the lead just over a furlong from home. He galloped strongly to the line, returning a length and a half clear of his nearest pursuer.
Jarvis said: “I am delighted. It has taken him a while to win but to do it here at Newmarket is great. His owner Dr Jim Walker is only over in England from Hong Kong for five weeks of the year so to have a winner while he is here is good. The soft turf really helped him and hopefully he can win again.”
Favourite backers went home happy when Magicalmysterytour (5/2) landed the finale, the newmarketracecourses.co.uk handicap, for trainer Willie Musson and jockey Chris Catlin.
The final meeting on the July Course begins on Friday, 27 August.
By Jackie Jarvis
