ON THE TRACK
by Emily Scott
The highlight from this month has undoubtedly been the return to form of the once Oaks-hopeful 3yo filly Rhapsody. She gave her owners a huge thrill when winning on debut at Yarmouth last October and we put her away for the winter dreaming of Classic glory. Unfortunately, she had a sticky start to the year as she point-blank refused to settle in her races, throwing away countless opportunities without being beaten overly far in a pair of Listed races at Goodwood.
She behaved much better when running on into fifth at Kempton in mid-August and she was turned out just over two weeks later in a fillies’ handicap at York where she was given a peach of a ride by Jason Hart. She settled beautifully towards the rear of the field, which was great to see given that the early pace was not overly fast. She travelled into the race powerfully and only had to wait for a gap big enough to appear before bursting through inside the final furlong to win by a cosy ¾ length. She galloped out well round the bend and should be bred to get further, perhaps now she has learned to relaxed she will.
The victory was all the sweeter for Jason Hart who was recording his 1000th domestic winner and 100th for the season. It’s a huge landmark for the once Champion Apprentice and he even spoke of his burning ambition to win the Jockeys’ Championship. He’s always been a safe pair of hands in the north, and we are thrilled that Rhapsody could contribute to this significant achievement.
A bit further north we had Defiance stepping up to 1m4f for the first time in Hamilton’s feature race of the year, the Lanark Silver Bell Handicap, worth £100,000. He looked like he was crying out for the extra distance following his fast finishing third at Glorious Goodwood and although he ran a cracker in defeat, he found one too good in Paddy The Squire, who is highly regarded by connections. Defiance has finished 4th, 3rd and 2nd on his three starts this season and his trainer, Roger Varian, is full of hope that he can get his head in front at the fourth attempt in a handicap at Newbury next weekend.
Another older horse who has continued to climb the ranks this season is Kempton-specialist Drama. He did something quite remarkable last week, winning the London Sprint Series Final for the second consecutive year, off 9lbs higher than last year. This significant prize (£41,232 to the winner) took his career earnings to £111,272, which for a yearling bought for 27,000gns is some feat!
There’s no denying that Drama’s career has been just that, a bit of a drama, as he never runs two races the same. He has proved particularly effective at Kempton, winning four of his six starts at the London track. Although never as good on the turf, he did break his maiden at Windsor as a two-year-old and has continued to provide his loyal owners with a lot of fun thereafter. Following his most recent win he was raised a further 3lbs to a handicap mark of 95. He may well have one more hurrah at Kempton in early October before heading the Tattersalls Horses In Training Sale where he will no doubt be an attractive proposition. The track are already honouring him with a blown up photograph on the side of the grandstand, a nod to his many victories there (picture below).
September is set to be a big month for Highclere string with exciting two-year-olds still to come out and some Group-race action as well. With only a month to go until our Yearling Parades we will be hoping to keep the success rolling into the autumn!