Middleham Park’s BRAVE EMPEROR maintained his impressive run of form with another notable success at Kempton Park in mid-March.
The winner of a Listed race in France the previous month, the progressive three-year-old landed the ‘Road to the Kentucky Derby’ Conditions Stakes over 1m, winning over £30,000 for his syndicate owners.
It was his third win of the winter, all achieved under regular rider Luke Morris who continued to deputise admirably for injured stable jockey Hollie Doyle with a significant victory on A Taste Of Honey at the end of the month.
Our Harry Angel filly returned from a six-month break to make a winning handicap debut over seven furlongs at Lingfield Park, giving Archie his 90th winner at the Surrey track.
Luke was also in the winner’s enclosure on Barging Thru at Chelmsford City on 11th March. Mohammed Rashid’s four-year-old got up in the shadow of the post to win a seven-furlong handicap in gritty style.
That win completed an across the card double, initiated by the promising He’s A Monster, who carried Lone Star Investments’ colours to victory in a Wolverhampton handicap under Hector Crouch.
A son of No Nay Never, He’s A Monster was making his first appearance since September in a 7f contest on the Tapeta and went on to supplement that at Kempton in early April. That was his third win in only four starts.
Meanwhile, Group 1 winner Kieran Shoemark was on board when Apple Tree Stud’s Heavenly Breath made her seasonal return in a Listed fillies’ race at St Cloud in France on 18th March. She looked likely to win the Prix la Camargo, only to be headed at the post in the mile contest.
Everyone at Saxon Gate Stables was happy to finally welcome Hollie back to the riding ranks on 31st March when she travelled up to Newcastle to make a winning return from injury on Rhythm N Hooves in a five-furlong novice.
Sidelined by a fractured elbow since mid-January, Hollie galvanised the Cool Silk partnership’s home bred gelding to a comfortable success just two weeks after his promising debut in a similar race at Wolverhampton.
By Simon Mapletoft
