Race Report - 2nd August 2008
2.15 Everyone's A Winner With UNISON and FRIZZELL Handicap (5f)
ROYAL GRACE had looked impressive when scorching home over course and distance earlier in the summer, but two subsequent disappointments had prompted owners David and Emma Armstrong to enter her in the sales. However, they will probably be having a rethink after seeing the Tim Easterby-trained filly score decisively in the hands of Eddie Ahern. Disappointing favourite Peter's Storm was already going backwards when he was short of room in the closing stages.
2.50 Trade Union UNISON & Thompsons Lawyers Maiden Auction Stakes (6f)
William Haggas, who went on to saddle the first two home in the Goodwood Stewards' Cup later in the afternoon, took this with favourite DIDDUMS, who completed a quickfire double for Eddie Ahern. Diddums, owned and bred by Haggas's father Brian, had to work hard to improve on his All-Weather debut second. The one to take out of the race was runner-up Noverre To Go, who rallied to regain second after swerving under pressure. Though green, Tom Dascombe's colt is highly enough regarded to be given a Group Two entry.
3.25 UNISON Beyond The Barriers Conditions Stakes (6f)
BATTLE PAINT had Group One form in France but was returning from a lay-off in excess of a year. Nevertheless, his class told on his first start for John Gosden and he may now take his chance in the Hungerford Stakes later this month. Runner-up Pawan was 'wrong' at the weights but, not for the first time in this kind of race, excelled himself. He will go up in the ratings again for being beaten but may be back for the Portland Handicap at Doncaster next month.
4.00 UNISONPositively Public Stakes (Handicap) (1m21/2f)
Jeremy Noseda was on hand to saddle his odds-on favourite Checklow, who went into the race with a Ladbrokes St Leger entry. However, he never looked like beating exposed rivals and could finish only fourth, as Jim Goldie's NANTON ended a long losing run to score over this trip for the first time. Granston, who loves Doncaster, ran another solid race in second. Checklow clearly under-performed but his participation in the Leger looks unlikely on this evidence.
4.35 UNISON Your Friend At Work Handicap (1m4f)
The 4lb rise that favourite Mezzanisi received for a luckless defeat at Windsor may have been enough to stop him here. Hayley Turner produced him on the outside of KILLCARA BOY and Shady Gloom but couldn't overhaul the pacesetters. In the end, a return to this trip suited Henry Candy's winner, who may be happier in a bigger field with a faster gallop. The November Handicap may be a long-term consideration if he can win again.
5.10 UNISON And UIB There For You Maiden Stakes (1m21/2f)
Michael Jarvis's decision to bring SORTITA back in trip paid off, as she proved far too good for some interesting maidens. Jeremy Noseda's afternoon went from bad to worse when his $800,000 purchase Blessing faded to finish only seventh. Meanwhile, Godolphin trainer Saeed Bin Suroor was on had to see $9.2 million purchase Plavius bid to redeem his reputation, but he too looked one paced back in fourth. The eye-catcher was John Gosden's Star Rocker, who came from a long way back to be third.
