Race report - 5th November 2011
Doncaster Racecourse
Saturday 5th November
By Simon Mapletoft
12.15 The Betfred Cock O' The North EBF Maiden Stakes (Div I) (6f)
TERTIFLETTE sprung a surprise for the in-form Ed McMahon. Well beaten at Windsor on debut, she coped well with the soft conditions to power home under Graham Gibbons and has the size and scope to go on as a three-year-old. Pacific Heights ran a cracker for Tim Pitt to be second, ahead of John Gosden's Jellicle, who raced prominently but didn't see out her race on this demanding surface.
12.50 The Betfred Cock O' The North EBF Maiden Stakes (Div II) (6f)
Ralph Beckett's good run continued when debutant BRICK TOPS took this in the hands of Jim Crowley. The ways she picked up on this ground was impressive, while runner-up Hawks Ref deserves credit for plugging on having made much of the running. Back in third, the well-backed newcomer Shame On You finished well having ruined her chance with a slow start.
1.25 The Betfred Mobile Nursery Handicap (6f)
This competitive nursery went to ROYAL REYAH, a lightly raced colt from the Stuart Kittow stable. He picked up well for Fergus Sweeney to get the better of favourite Master Bond, who looked the likely winner at the furlong pole. Blue Shoes ran well to be third, while the nibbled at Whisky Bravo made the frame, too.
2.00 The Betfred The Bonus King Handicap (7f)
David Elsworth's BONNIE BRAE enjoyed the conditions and came out of the pack with a sustained run on the far side to deny the locally trained Docofthebay. The winner would have gone closer at Doncaster previously but for finding trouble in running and was fairly handicapped for this return. The Confessor - well backed to gain his first win of the year - did nothing wrong in third, ahead of the confirmed mudlark Valery Borzov.
2.35 The Betfred Goals Galore EBF 'Sir Percy' Gillies Fillies' Listed Stakes (1m21/2f)
Khalid Abdulla's Juddmonte operation received the leading owner's award before this race, so it was fitting that the familiar mint, white and pink silks were first and second past the post in this good renewal. However, it wasn't Sir Henry Cecil's favourite Principal Role who took the honours, but Amanda Perrett's MIRROR LAKE. Martin Dwyer's mount looked more at home on the soft ground than the runner-up, while last year's winner Ceilidh House gave it her best to be third.
3.10 The Betfred November Handicap (1m4f)
John Gosden won this famous old handicap for the fourth time when ZUIDER ZEE rampaged to victory for Robert Havlin. He had started to look exposed, having failed to get his head in front this season, but travelled well and clearly relished the conditions. Godolphin's Willing Foe looked to have the race sewn up when he hit the front for Ian Mongan about two furlongs out, but Zuider Zee always had his measure. Merchant Of Dubai finished well to pip the game Hanoverian Baron for third.
3.40 The Betfred 1350 Shops Nationwide Wentworth Stakes (Listed) (6f)
SIRIUS PROSPECT, who won a handicap here off a mark of 88 at the Ladbrokes St Leger meeting, had shot 22lb up the handicap following further successes at Ascot and York, and confirmed himself a real force in Pattern company with this resounding success. Dean Ivory's stable star travelled ominously well before denying champion jockey Paul Hanagan a fitting victory on the game runner-up Mayson. Sirius Prospect can be expected to contest Group class sprints from now on. Hanagan was confirmed as Champion in a champagne-charged ceremony in the winner's enclosure before the race.
4.10 The betfred.com Apprentice Handicap (7f)
Richard Whitaker won the last race of the British Flat Season with the consistent SAM NOMBULIST, who was produced beautifully by jockey Amy Ryan. She conjured a strong finish to deny her father's Deliberation, with Caldercruix and Tewin Wood filling the minor places. Martin Harley, who was crowned champion apprentice, was denied a ride in the race when his intended mount Cornus was taken out.
