Race report - 21st October 2011

Friday 21st October 2011

By Simon Mapletoft

1.30 EBF Mercedez-Benz of Doncaster Fleet Maiden Stakes (7f)

GREGORIAN had run well in a sales race at Newmarket and spreadeagled this field to justify favouritism for St Leger-winning trainer John Gosden and jockey William Buick. Behind him, Luca Cumani's chestnut colt Strada Facendo finished nicely and is now qualified for handicaps. There was also promise from Godolphin's Shuja while Choisan ran another game race to finish in the thick of things. He is finding it tough to get his head in front but doesn't lack commitment.

2.00 EBF Spiffing Crabbie's Alcoholic Ginger Beer Maiden Fillies'
Stakes (Div I) (1m)

LACILY looked a filly of some potential when easing to a first-time- out victory for Frankie Dettori and Mahmood Al Zarooni. Godolphin's daughter of Classic-winning Lailani was much too good for this field, though John Gosden's runner-up Amy Dorrit emerged with credit to have the rest well beaten off. Heather Main's runner Cockney Rhyme ran a pleasing second race and could be one to watch out for if kept going in handicaps on the All-Weather.

2.35 EBF Spiffing Crabbie's Alcoholic Ginger Beer Maiden Fillies'
Stakes (Div II) (1m)

Frankie Dettori's mount Vena Amoris was favourite to complete a quickfire double for Godolphin's Mahmood Al Zarooni, but compromised her chance with a slow start. Instead it was Jeremy Noseda's RECKONING who made a smart winning debut, further boosting the Newmarket trainer's impressive strike rate with juveniles this season. She quickened up well to pull clear and, despite running green, was always doing enough to hold the closing debutant Hepworth.

3.10 Earl Of Doncaster Hotel Nursery (1m Str)

BRIMSTONE HILL sprung a surprise with a game success, belying odds of 33-1. Michael Hills produced his brother Charlie's colt with a strong run to overhaul champion jockey Paul Hanagan on Red Alpha. That rival saw out the mile well enough but was no match for the winner, who hadn't shaped with any promise in nurseries prior to suffering a slipping saddle last time.

3.45 Racing Post Weekender Out Every Wednesday Handicap (6f)

A competitive field failed to find an answer to BOHEMIAN MELODY'S electric turn of foot. Marco Botti's four-year-old, sporting blinkers for the first time, put the race to bed at the furlong pole to give William Buick a double. In behind, hold-up performer Elusivity finished best of all to be second while Mass Rally and Anne Of Kiev also ran solid races to make the frame in a race in which it paid to play late. Last year's winner Mac's Power couldn't get competitive back in mid-division.

4.20 Racing Post/SIS Betting Shop Manager Handicap (1m61/2f)

Sam Hitchcott made it two out of two for Mark Johnston when he won this on the grey GULF OF NAPLES. The three-year-old wandered about when he hit the front, but was green rather than unwilling. Stable companion Exemplary chased him home, while Moment Juste stayed on again to be third after losing her place at the top of the home stretch. In fourth was the game mare Bollin Greta, defying a welter burden of 10st.

4.55 Bentley's Gentleman's Club Doncaster Handicap (1m21/2f)

Jim Goldie's veteran DHAULAR DHAR sprung a surprise, bouncing back to winning form after a spell in the doldrums. The nine-year-old edged out Space War in a photo-finish, with top weight Incendo back in third. Godolphin's Jameel ran a better race in fourth, while Camberley Two appeared to see out the longer trip in pursuit of a seven-timer but couldn't quite claw them back.

5.25 Pricewise In Racing Post On Saturdays Apprentice Handicap (1m Str)

VIOLENT VELOCITY struck another blow for the veteran division with a game performance to give young Matthew Lawson his 26th winner. John Quinn's veteran took up the running from Tewin Wood just over a furlong out and had enough in the tank to comfortably hold the staying on Nolecce.

Ends.