Friday 18th September
SOCIETY Rock landed the highlight of today’s entirely two-year card with a battling success in the £250,000 Tattersalls Timeform Millions Sprint.
The son of Rock of Gibraltar had to dig deep to secure the £135,425 first prize but he showed a game attitude and looks an exciting prospect.
Connections were forced to endure a lengthy stewards’ enquiry before celebrating as Society Rock edged left in the final furlong, carrying the runner-up Take Ten with him. But the interference was minimal - Baker was suspended for a day (October 5) for careless riding - and octogenarian owner Simon Gibson, a Newmarket member no less, was able to enjoy a money-spinning triumph by a head in the 6f contest. For trainer James Fanshawe it was a big boost, leaving both he and Gibson to consider a return to Newmarket on October 3 for the even more lucrative Tattersalls Timeform Million over a furlong further. Fanshawe said: “It is a real thrill to win a race like this as we’ve had a sticky year. It’s great for Simon as he is a long-standing owner in the yard and has had Polar Ben and Buster Hyvonen with us. Whether he will go for the Million or not, I’m not sure. He has got a lot of speed.”
But the interference was minimal - Baker was suspended for a day (October 5) for careless riding - and octogenarian owner Simon Gibson, a Newmarket member no less, was able to enjoy a money-spinning triumph by a head in the 6f contest.
For trainer James Fanshawe it was a big boost, leaving both he and Gibson to consider a return to Newmarket on October 3 for the even more lucrative Tattersalls Timeform Million over a furlong further.
Fanshawe said: “It is a real thrill to win a race like this as we’ve had a sticky year. It’s great for Simon as he is a long-standing owner in the yard and has had Polar Ben and Buster Hyvonen with us. Whether he will go for the Million or not, I’m not sure. He has got a lot of speed.”
“It is a real thrill to win a race like this as we’ve had a sticky year. It’s great for Simon as he is a long-standing owner in the yard and has had Polar Ben and Buster Hyvonen with us. Whether he will go for the Million or not, I’m not sure. He has got a lot of speed.”The Express Cafes Nursery handicap went the way of the 4/6 favourite, Audacity of Hope, under a typically strong Kieren Fallon drive. The son of Red Ransom has now won three times this term and has the scope to improve again.
Golden Aria lost her maiden tag at the third time of asking in the EBF Traditional Pastry & Pie Company maiden for trainer Richard Hannon and jockey Pat Dobbs.
The daughter of Rakti, a 5/1 chance, was settled in midfield by Dodds before taking up the running with a furlong to go. She stayed on gamely up the rising ground to score by half a length.
Richard Hannon jnr, assistant to his father said: “She’s nice and we’ve always quite liked her - she’s got a very good action. I was a little bit worried early on that she would not get the trip as she pulled quite hard.”
Debutant Side Glance sprang a 50/1 shock when taking the Express Coffee Cars Median Auction maiden under Liam Keniry.
The Andrew Balding-trained gelding showed a smart turn of foot to get up late home, winning a shade comfortably by half a length.
Emma Balding, representing her son said: “The two-year olds are a nice bunch this season and this horse looked as if he’d be an early type, until he was held up with sore shins. But he’s come good now.
“Liam said he stumbled going into The Dip and lost his action so he would have been unlucky had he been beaten.”
Forgotten Army got the better of the odds on chance Verdant in a well timed front-running ride by Jimmy Quinn to land the EBF W.O.W. maiden.
Trainer Mark Tompkins said of his 16/1 winner: “He didn’t handle the bend at Warwick but Jimmy let him use his stride today and he kept on well out of The Dip.”
Wigmore Hall, who was backed into 7/4 favouritism, put up an impressive showing to win the MC Seafood Median Auction maiden.
The Michael Bell-trained juvenile was unplaced on his debut run at the July Course but had clearly come on for that.
Jamie Spencer settled the son of High Chaparral towards the rear and he quickened up stylishly inside the closing stages to record a four and a half length win.
The finale on the card, the Thai Street Cafe and Norfolk Ice cream Nursery handicap was won by Lethal Combination, who got up in the dying strides.
Racing resumes on the Rowley Mile tomorrow with the first race scheduled for 1.45pm
By Jackie Jarvis