Thursday 28 July 2011

Goodwood Review...Well Done Micky!


A deserved Goodwood Stakes win for Hollins provided Micky Hammond with his first taste of success at the Sussex course.

The multi-talented seven-year-old (20-1) has taken his Yorkshire-based trainer to many of the Festival meetings under both codes and he cut a particularly determined figure under Paul Hanagan to thwart the challenge of Seaside Sizzler by three-quarters of a length.


"He's been doing well hurdling and I just ran him back too quickly at Pontefract last time, so I gave him a break. He has given the owners tremendous fun as he has run at Royal Ascot and two Cheltenham Festivals and he was due a decent race," said the trainer.

"He just outstayed them, and he was sixth last year off a 10lb higher mark. We were actually thinking about novice chasing now, although he'll have an entry for the Cesarewitch."


Whiplash Willie (7-1) just held on to top honours in the UBS Stakes, making stealthy headway in the straight under David Probert after being held up last in the early stages. He shot to the lead in the final furlong but had just a head to spare at the line, with Arch Fire finishing with a rare rattle.

Winning trainer Andrew Balding said: "He probably could have done with a bit more cover. I think he'll be a fun horse. He has an entry in the St Leger, but it's a long shot and he's got a long way to go before he can justify that. He could be one for the Melrose Stakes."

There was a sting in the tail for Probert, who was given a suspension totalling four days (August 10-14) for his use of the whip and careless riding.

Mahmood Al Zarooni's Rakasa (11-2) made a winning debut in the Markel International Maiden Fillies' Stakes under Frankie Dettori and Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford said: "She never looked like being beaten from a furlong out and hopefully she'll go on to better things.


"Sheikh Mohammed himself saw the filly work last week and said we should go to Goodwood as she looked good enough to do herself justice. With fillies it is always nice to try your luck in Pattern company sooner rather than later, but we'll see how she comes out of the race."

Webbow (9-1) benefited from a typically power-packed ride from the front from Kieren Fallon to take the Harwoods EBF 'Hellvelyn' Classified Stakes, while the closing EBF Nayef Fillies' And Mares' Stakes was won by the David Nicholls-trained Askaud (14-1).