Sunday, 29 May 2011

Haydock Double For Spencer


Jamie Spencer landed a quick double at Haydock when Mick Channon's Show Rainbow prevailed in a blanket finish for the Blue Square Sandy Lane Stakes.

Ladies Are Forever appeared to make a race-winning move a furlong and a half out but was there to be shot at in the final 100 yards and Sweet Cecily and March On Beetroot were others to challenge.


It was Spencer and Show Rainbow (5-2 joint-favourite) who won by a head from the latter, with a neck back to Sweet Cecily.

The jockey said: "She's very tough and honest, and she only ran against older fillies here seven days ago. She felt a bit flat and didn't really travel, but she's durable and was fourth in the Nell Gwyn. Mick's horses are flying too."

Earlier, Michael Bell's Activate continued his progression with a smooth win in the Bet At bluesq.com Stakes.

The four-year-old won his final two starts of last season over a mile and three-quarters and relished the step up to two miles.

Spencer settled his mount out at the back of the reduced field - there were five non-runners - and the 9-4 favourite moved through menacingly with two furlongs to run.

While Kayef tried to go with the winner, there was half a length separating them at the line, with Ocean Transit third.

Ian Smith, Bell's travelling head lad, said: "He'll be going for the Northumberland Plate now, hopefully. He was on the cusp of getting in before that so that should just give him the few pounds he needed to get in.

"Jamie said the ground was a bit too firm for him really, but luckily we've had a few showers here. He's a strong traveller who settles well. Hayley (Turner) normally rides him and that's how she does it."