Sunday, 9 October 2011
Silvestre de Sousa 1,983-1 Four-Timer
Silvestre de Sousa lit up a damp, grey final meeting at York with a 1,983-1 four-timer on Oceanway, Bannock, Orsippus and Licence To Till.
The Brazilian is in the middle of a three-way battle to be crowned champion jockey but he feels he cannot catch Paul Hanagan and Kieren Fallon, especially as he has a riding ban to serve, but he nevertheless took his tally to 137 for the year.
Three of his winners were for trainer Mark Johnston, while Orsippus was for Michael Smith.
Bannock (5-2 favourite) bounced back to form in the coral.co.uk Rockingham Stakes after disappointing in the Redcar Two-Year-Old Trophy last Saturday. He put that effort behind him to capture this Listed race in good style by two lengths from Miss Lahar.
"He had a problem in the middle of the season. Bobby Elliott was trotting him and his rein broke and the horse hit a wall and cut his leg," said Johnston's wife and assistant Deirdre.
"We just ran out of time to put the finishing touches to him for Redcar. We weren't sure he was 100% then or not, but that brought him on for today. As he's had a big holiday mid-season, I'd like to see him run again this year. He's fit and well now."
Grade One-winning hurdler Orsippus (20-1) warmed up for another winter campaign by outstaying his rivals in the coral.co.uk Green Tick Win More Every Race Stakes, beating Valid Reason by two and a quarter lengths.
Northumberland-based Smith said: "He's been in the field for two months but I've brought him in every night. He's too precious to leave out. I gave him a holiday after he ran flat at Newcastle. He'll go to Ascot in mid-November (for the Coral Hurdle) and then the Relkeel at Cheltenham."
Oceanway (7-2) battled on bravely to take the Green Tick For Better Odds At coral.co.uk Handicap by three-quarters of a length from Weapon Of Choice and Licence To Till (5-1) completed the fantastic foursome by holding Jo'burg by a head in the Coldstream Guards Association Cup.
Mrs Johnston added: "What a day, and Colour Vision (third) ran a great race in the Cesarewitch. I thought we were beat there. What an honest horse."