Saturday's card featured the start of the
Racing Post festival proper. The competitions to start off, were the
maiden Derby, the VC Bet Marathon and the Seniors Derby.
Fear
Mykeo paced up well and led round in the first heat of the
Seniors Derby. Understandably, she didn't get home, as she was
returning from season. She faded on the run in and didn't qualify.
There was a pile up at the first bend as Droopys
Benitez, Zigzag
Dutchman (who broke too well) came together. Hee
Haws Cantona rode the bump and led from between the last two
bends, until being caught near the line. Caulry
Fast Trap stayed on and led near the line. Salems
Rhys stayed on for 3rd.
The first round of the
VC Bet marathon looked a match between Spiridon
Louis and Foulden
Special. Foulden
Special ran no sort of race at all and something must be amiss
with him. Spiridon
Louis turned handy behind the early pace setter Genesis
Alix and it just looked like a matter of when he would lead and
how far by. Spiridon
Louis led at the 4th bend and pulled clear. Genesis
Alix was beaten 6 1/4 lengths in second. (Only two qualified)
The
hurdles open saw Kildare
Lark (from trap one) get a clear run early as Nevada
Blue (from trap 2) ran to the middle and was crowded on the run
up. Kildare
Lark never got away from the field and in the scramble for the
line, Nevada
Blue got up by a short head from Kildare
Lark. There wasn't even a photo called, despite the closeness of
the finish.
In the second heat of the maiden
Derby, Grenrose
Red and Kilelton
Rose went to the first bend together. Kilelton
Rose showed much more courage and came out of their collision at
the second bend the leader. He rode the bump well and gamely made
all from the second bend. Bodell
Mistress kept on for second and Unique
Wonder was third. Unique
Wonder ran off at the second bend and was unimpressive in
qualifying.
Ronnies
Champion paced up well and led round in the second heat of the
Seniors Derby. He held a decent lead at the third bend, but was
gunned down late by Ninja
Blue. Lonely
Harry was very slow away, but ran on and grabbed 3rd.
Malbay
Thumper made all in the second round of the VC Bet marathon,
though was a fortunate winner. En
It got a clear run early, but had a significant collision with Centaur
Fuji at the 6th bend. Centaur
Fuji and En
It finished second and third respectively.
Rio
Quando was a very impressive winner of the next one off open.
Quickly into stride, he made all in a fast 28.50. Joes
Wonder kept on for second, but did not see which way the favvy
went.
Ronnies Hotstuff made all in the 2nd heat of the maiden Derby.
He showed some high tail action at the 3/4 and held on desperately.
Love Forever came home well and went down in a photo.
Tilly was outpaced early but stayed on for third.
Smoking Again made most in the 3rd heat of the Seniors Derby. He
was gunner down late by the staying on
Show Vision.
Mohawk Magic started very slowly and stayed on for third.
Lode Star led early in the third round of the VC Bet marathon,
but he failed to se out the trip.
Bubbly Kate ran on and led between the last 2 bends.
Shine Fantasy kept on well and grabbed second.
Astute Gift was a game winner of the Goodwood cup final. He led
up early, was headed by
Barnfield Joe at the third, then he really stuck his head out to
win in a photo.
Island View plugged on for 3rd.