Hambleton Racing’s exciting prospect Port Light lit up a quiet month when he maintained his progress with a dominant performance in a mile novice stakes at Chelmsford City on 27th February.
Hollie Doyle, fresh back from riding on Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia, made all the running on the son of City Light on his return from being gelded to put five lengths between himself and the runner-up, despite carrying a penalty.
A 41,000 euros breeze-up purchase last year, the three-year-old was winning for the second time in just three career starts which earned him an official rating of 98. A debut winner at Southwell in November, his neck defeat at Chelmsford the following month was paid a compliment when his victor Rajeko finished second in both the Al Rayyan Mile in Qatar and the Listed Spring Cup at Lingfield Park.
“He has quite a lot of speed but still has a lot of learning to do,” said Hollie. “He’s got a big engine and is certainly going the right way. He’s a work in progress and might be a better horse on turf this year.”
There was also a notable success for Middleham Park Racing’s Ventura Dream, who also came back to the track following a gelding operation to win over a mile on his handicap debut at Southwell on 15th February. This son of Earthlight left last year’s novice form well behind under Charles Bishop, getting the better of subsequent winner Spec Of Light who went on to frank the form off a 6lb higher rating.
Meanwhile, Shartash, who kept top company in Group sprints last year, made a pleasing return to action in a six-furlong handicap on All-Weather Finals Trials Day at Lingfield Park at the end of the month. Wathnan Racing’s five-year-old ran on well for Hollie to finish an encouraging third.
Sadly, Middleham Park’s globetrotter Brave Emperor’s bid to defend his crown in the $500,000 ITM Cup in Qatar ended rather abruptly when he was bought down by another runner that slipped up on a surface at Doha that was later deemed unsafe for racing. Fortunately, the horse and his regular rider Luke Morris escaped injury.
Finally, our own Brodie Hampson enjoyed a fine ride on Olly Murphy’s Roccovango in the Team Forces Royal Artillery Gold Cup at Sandown Park on 12th February. Aiming to win the race for the third time, Brodie finished a creditable third on the favourite who was in with every chance before making a mistake two out.
By Simon Mapletoft
