Race Report - 31st May 2008
2.00 San Rossore Handicap (1m4f)
Doncaster played host to a party from San Rossore Racecourse in Pisa, who made the presentations following a race named in their honour. It proved to be a race with more than one international flavour, as South African champion Kevin Shea won it on his first ever ride at the track. COYOTE CREEK, in a first-time visor, trounced his rivals and could be interesting if he re-appears under a penalty. Local favourite Red Wine enhanced his fine record on Town Moor by running on to be third.
2.35 European Breeders' Fund Maiden Stakes (6f)
Jeremy Noseda was on hand to supervise his debutant juvenile HIMALYA, who had been the subject of some spectacular work reports in Newmarket. The work watchers weren't wrong, as the son of Danehill Dancer overcame his greenness to beat nearest market rival Seaway by three parts of a length. Himalya may now go for the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot and holds a Group One entry in the Phoenix Stakes later in the season.
3.10 Moss Properties Handicap (1m21/2f)
Marcus Tregoning took a chance with favourite EZDIYAAD, who was unproven on this fast ground having recorded his best form on easy surfaces. He looked to be feeling the ground in the closing stages but still ran out a ready winner from the game Nanton. Ezdiyaad, a giant son of Galileo, may run in the Duke Of Edinburgh Handicap at Royal Ascot providing the ground is suitable for him.
3.40 'Rovers Are Up' Classified Stakes (6f)
Oliver Swann, a 12-year-old from Armthorpe, had the honour of presenting the prize to winning connections after being judged Doncaster Rovers' number one fan in a competition run by the Racecourse and the Doncaster Free Press. Michael Nelmes-Crocker, a long-standing owner with Karl Burke, was the happy recipient after seeing his LESSON IN HUMILITY land an upset. Godolphin's favourite Wingbeat endured a luckless race, having to be switched twice before being slightly hampered and finishing only third. This Pattern race prospect is better than the bare form suggests.
4.15 Doncaster Free Press Business Monthly Handicap (7f)
DHUALAR DHAR had struggled to make an impact in the Lincoln here in March, but had hinted at a return to form at Chester and got up with a strong late surge under 7lb claimer Dean Hislop. Jim Goldie's winner holds an entry in the Wokingham Handicap at Royal Ascot. Runner-up Hinton Admiral was well supported and kept on well in second, suggesting his turn is only just around the corner. Third placed Artimino looked as though the race would bring him on and ran creditably in third for James Fanshawe.
4.50 Bluebell Wood Golden Mile Challenge Handicap (5f)
Richard Fahey, who notched a hat-trick at the previous meeting, was back in the winner's enclosure with the well-handicapped TOTAL IMPACT, who was produced with a strong late run by Kerrin McEvoy. He hadn't won since 2006 and was having only his second start for Fahey, but looks capable of following up if he re-appears quickly under a penalty.
5.25 Northern Racing College Apprentice Handicap (1m)
Stacey Renwick graduated from the Rossington based Northern Racing College, so her victory on board locally trained outsider SHOSOLOSA was fitting, to say the least. The Dansili, based with Richard Guest at Clumber Park, mare kept on well to get the better of form horses Ours and Brouhaha, who both held every chance. Ermine Grey stayed on well from off the pace to be fourth, while General Feeling made up for a slow start to finish strongly and could be one to follow in his grade.
