New recruit SHARTASH posted a performance full of promise at Thirsk in April that set him up for a possible tilt at the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot in June.
Weldspec Glasgow Ltd’s gelding took a competitive seven-furlong handicap by almost five lengths on his stable debut after being purchased for 150,000 euros by Blandford Bloodstock at the Arqana Sales in September.
Winner of the Group 2 Railway Stakes in Ireland 2022 for Johnny Murtagh, the four-year-old streaked clear under Luke Morris at the North Yorkshire venue to earn a 4lb rise and a new handicap mark of 111, opening up the options in Pattern company.
Another star performer was Hambleton Racing’s three-year-old Dyrholaey, who extended his unbeaten sequence to three by defying a penalty in a five-furlong Newcastle novice stakes on 16th April to give Hollie Doyle her 900th domestic winner.
The son of French sire City Light could now head to Royal Ascot for a crack at the Palace Of Holyroodhouse Stakes, a race won last year by Archie’s Rhythm N Hooves.
April began well with Jungle Charm and Sattwaa completing a double on the Polytrack at Lingfield Park. The former won a six-furlong handicap under Laura Coughlan before Sattwaa made a winning return in a mile fillies’ handicap.
Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum’s daughter of Saxon Warrior made all the running under Hollie to secure a half-length verdict on only her fourth career outing, setting herself up for a Listed assignment overseas in May.
The following day Benevente’s filly Viennoise got off the mark at the third attempt in a seven-furlong Lingfield maiden, confirming the promise of her re-appearance second at Wolverhampton. She made virtually every yard under Hollie to win by three and a half lengths.
Another Hambleton Racing winner came on 8th April in the shape of the revitalised Aerospace, who made it two from two after returning from a two-year lay-off. Formerly trained by John and Thady Gosden, the lightly raced former Godolphin five-year-old earned a hard-fought success over 10 furlongs at Newcastle, looking great value for his 16,000gns price tag.
It wasn’t to be for our globetrotting star Brave Emperor in the Group 1 Hong Kong Champions Mile on 25th April but Middleham Park Racing’s owners had a trip of a lifetime watching their star compete in the £1.2 million showpiece at Sha Tin. He finished only ninth of 11 after a slow start but will be back for further adventures at home and abroad as the season progresses.
By Simon Mapletoft
