Race report - 7th September 2011
Ladbrokes St. Leger, Wednesday 7th September 2011
By Simon Mapletoft
2.00 Arena Structures Nursery (7f)
John Gosden and William Buick, last year's Ladbrokes St
Leger-winning combination, got this year's Festival off to a
dream start when GHOSTWRITING scored his first success on turf. The
winner of an all- weather maiden before flopping in a Group Two at
Newmarket, the US- bred colt had clearly done well for his break
and was too good for The Blue Banana, who compromised his chance by
hanging badly. Magic City finished well to be third but was given
plenty to do from the rear of the field.
2.35 Napoleons Sheffield Conditions Stakes (6f)
EUREKA, who had finished a creditable sixth in a strong renewal of
the Group Two Richmond Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, made every yard
of the running under a canny ride by Richard Hughes. Gold City,
second in a Listed race at Ripon, and the filly Artistic Jewel,
made the winner work hard for the verdict. Richard Hannon Jnr,
representing his father, said plans remained fluid for Eureka, who
may now be put away until next season.
3.10 Scarbrough Stakes (Listed) (5f)
Frankie Dettori got his Ladbrokes St Leger Festival off to a flying
start when George Baker's HUMIDOR notched a career best to take
this ultra-competitive renewal. Humidor finished strongly to deny
the three- year-old Dinkum Diamond, who looked the likely winner
after swooping past Captain Dunne. The eye-catcher of the race was
Jeremy Gask's Medician Man, who stumbled leaving the stalls but
finished well to be third. He's still improving and looks up
to winning a similar race.
3.45 Clipper Logistics Leger legends Classified Stakes (1m Str)
It may not have been the most valuable race of the day, but it was
certainly the race that generated the most interest. Former legends
of the weighing room came out of retirement for the second year
running to ride in the Leger Legends showpiece and raise vital
funds for the Northern Racing College and Jack Berry's planned
rehabilitation centre in Malton, North Yorkshire. US star Julie
Krone, a Hall Of Fame rider, added to her 3,704 career successes
when she got Declan Carroll's favourite INVINCIBLE HERO home to
rapturous applause. Krone got the better of Skyfire, who was
bidding to give ex-Irish jump jockey Charlie Swan back-to-back wins
in the race. St Leger winning jockey George Duffield - successful
on User Friendly in 1992 - was third on Ollie Pears' Dialogue.
4.20 Coopers Marquees Conditions Stakes (1m21/2f)
Richard Hannon and stable jockey Richard Hughes completed a double
when the three-year-old CAI SHEN stuck on to land this competitive
conditions event. Cai Shen had run some solid races in defeat and
had been inconvenienced by interference at Sandown last time.
Zeitoper, a Group Three winner, ran a sound race in second on his
first outing since January. Mahmood Al Zarooni's Godolphin colt
can build on this, though Elusive Pimpernel was again disappointing
despite travelling prominently at the top of the straight.
4.50 Quattrovalli Luxury Wins Champions Handicap (7f)
Connections were eyeing the big seven-furlong handicap at Ascot in
October for they grey LIGHTNING CLOUD, who won his fifth race from
just seven starts despite drifting across to the far rail. Kevin
Ryan's three-year-old had just enough in reserve for Phillip
Makin to fend off stable mate Louis The Pious and Frankie Dettori.
Back in third, previous course winner Johnny Castle made a pleasing
return from a mid-season break and looks capable of supplementing
his gains before the season ends.
5.20 Goffs/DBS St Leger Carnival Sales Handicap (5f)
HAAJES had a poor record at Doncaster, having been beaten in all 11
previous starts at the track, but was undeniably well handicapped
and had hinted at a return to form at Beverley last time. He took
up the running under Tom Queally just over a furlong out and ran on
gamely to hold previous course winner Eland Ally, with Lujeanie and
old Indian Trail just behind. Haajes, a 9-1 chance, continued the
good run of form for Yorkshire trainer Paul Midgley.
