Friday 30th July 2010
Peter Martins impresses on debut
PETER MARTINS (pictured above) looks to have a big future ahead of him following his winning debut in the Russian Standard Novice Stakes for trainer Jeremy Noseda and jockey Frankie Dettori.
Dettori, who was completing a double having been victorious aboard Janood in the second race, settled his mount in behind the leader on the rail.
The field was taken along by Colorado Gold with 2/1 favourite Peter Martins always travelling well in behind.
Dettori’s mount eased into the lead just over furlong out and surged clear to record a five-length victory.
Noseda said of this highly regarded newcomer by Johannesburg: “He is a strong, scopey horse who has always been very natural at home. He has come here without a hard preparation so hopefully there should be plenty more to come.
“We shall take a look at the Acomb Stakes for him next or perhaps another novice race. He has all the right entries so we’ll just take him home and see how he is.”
Janood (5/4) was well-backed to make a winning debut in the 6f maiden and he duly obliged in the blue of Godolphin under Dettori.
The son of Medicean took the eye both in the paddock and going to post and headed home a one two for his owners.
Dettori settled Janood up with the pace but he was caught a little flat-footed going into the Dip.
Busker, running in the second colours of Godolphin, took over the running with 2f to go and looked as if he would hold on.
But Ahmed Ajtebi’s mount was no match for Janood, who ran on well once hitting the rising ground to score by a neck.
Winning trained Saeed Bin Suroor: “He would have learnt a lot from that as he is still very babyish. He is a classy horse who could be anything. He will probably be stepped up to seven furlongs next time.”
The remarkable Sonny Parkin gained a sixth win at the July Course when taking the opener on the card, the Produce Global Solutions 'Eat More Mushrooms' handicap for trainer Jeff Pearce.
The eight-year-old looked to have an impossible task when stuck behind horses at the furlong pole but jockey Kieren Fallon didn’t panic and switched Sonny Parkin to the outside.
Once in the clear Sonny Parkin showed his trademark turn on foot to sweep past his rivals to win by half and length.
A delighted Pearce said: “He should really have a race named after him after this. He loves this place and has actually never won anywhere else.
“He has to get himself into trouble and the more trouble he is in the better he wins. I always knew he would get up.”
Fallon completed a double when he got Nosedive up in the dying strides of the GL Events handicap for Worksop-based trainer Richard Guest.
The son of Observatory, a 7/1 chance, was having his first start for Guest having been purchased out of the William Haggas yard for 17,000guines at the July Sales.
Nosedive was being ridden vigorously along by Fallon at the halfway stage but responded well to his urgings to run on strongly to win by three-quarters of a length.
The Irishman was on the mark again when he steered the Micky Hammond-trained Meetings Man (6/1) to victory in the Peta Parkhouse Birthday handicap.
Fallon took it up on the front end with over three furlongs to go and his mount stayed on gamely in front to hold the persistent challenge from Azaday by a length and a half.
Pirate’s Song sent favourite backers home happy by taking the finale, the NGK Spark Plugs handicap, for trainer James Toller and jockey Richard Hughes.
Hughes got the perfect run up the inside on the 5/4 favourite and this son of Bahamian Bounty held on well to land the spoils.
Racing resumes on the July Course tomorrow with the first race scheduled for 2:10
By Jackie Jarvis
