Tuesday 5 July 2016

USA TODAY AT INDEPENDENCE WINDSOR RACES 4-7-16




4th July celebrations came to the Royal county of Berkshire. Seven races set for Windsor Racecourses usual Monday night racing.

The first race an apprentice race was taken by a raider of the North,trainer Nigel Tinkler sent Etienne Gerard to post at 7/1, on board David Egan on his eleventh ride in public, David being the son of weighing room veteran John Egan.



The four-year-old on his twenty first outing, three of them with visits to the winner’s enclosure took the young seven pound claimer to the front a furlong out and stayed on well to beat Malvia by two lengths.
‘I’m delighted by that,’ mentioned the jockey with a beaming smile on his face. ‘He traveled well, got to the front and hung on. It was great dad is here also and riding on the same card, I grew up watching him, so it makes it extra special. 
I’m leading one up later also, then will probably watch dad in the last, I don’t want the day to end really.’
The trainer was also complimentary on the win mentioning,
'it makes it very special to be able to put John’s lad on board and give him his first winner, this young lad is going to do very well for himself.’



Raider of the North,trainer Nigel Tinkler sent Etienne Gerard to post at 7/1, on board David Egan on his eleventh ride in public.
The master of Woodland stables in Langton Malton, didn’t stop there in his raid of the southern tacks.
 Bashiba came up trumps in a close fought finish with Foxtrot Knight and Luke Morris in the sprint series qualifier later in the evening. This time Andrea Atzeni on board for the northern trainer, he took the lead in the final furlong and held on well to take the race, ‘he loves the fast ground and is a very straight forward type of horse, he was always good enough to win this type of contest.’
 Bashiba
The trainer, delighted with the win celebrated with the owners that the Northern horses could travel and win on the Southern tracks. 
‘I’m delighted for the owners really,’ mentioned the trainer. ‘They have taken a box here tonight and have made a day of it, he is a lovely horse, Silvestre De Sousa told me to buy him at the breeze up sales, and I’m glad I took his advice.’
Asked if it was a major decision to bring horses down to Berkshire for an evening meeting the trainer said, ‘It really makes no difference, it’s the same length of time as it is to go to some Northern tacks, and people don’t seem to make such of a fuss about that, but it’s lovely to come to Windsor though and give the owners a little something different.’
Trainer Nigel Tinkler talks to Jockey Andrea Atzeni
The evening full of doubles over the seven race card, and saw the Jockey Atzeni take in two winners for the evening, the first winner was for  Roger Varian, the jockey bough home Fool to cry, an 8/13fav in the one mile two furlongs claiming race.
The three-year-old in only her eighth contest and first visit to the winners enclosure, led at the furlong pole and held on well to beat Clive Clifton from the David Evans yard by a couple of lengths.
‘On paper she would be a filly very hard to beat, she is very straight forward and honest, the race was also run at the pace that suited her.’
The daughter of Fast Company was claimed after the race by rules trainer Neil Mullholland for £12’000, so is a horse we may come across at Fontwell as the jump season progresses, her toughness and honesty would help her as she progresses.
The evening full of doubles over the seven race card, and saw the Jockey Atzeni take in two winners for the evening, the first winner was for his guvnor Roger Varian, the jockey bough home Fool to cry.
Not to be outdone in the south, Clive Cox, having a successful season so far, put claim in for his double for the evening.
The first one coming in the shape of a very nice maiden by Kodiak, the sire of his stable star Kodi Bear.
Kodilne on only his second trip to the races, the first a second at Bath four weeks back, held on well at the line to beat Richard Hannon’s Majeste by a neck under a well driven ride by Adam Kirby, the rest of the placed horse looking no slouches themselves. 
‘We like this horse a lot,’ mentioned the jockey.’ He has a high cruising speed and a lot of natural ability, he quickens also, so he has a good future in front of him.’
Kodilne on only his second trip to the races
The trainer on the first of his two winners mentioned that he also likes the bay colt,’ we are always happy to have a fast Kodiak horse in the yard, but he is a very nice horse and would be one to watch I feel.’
The second of the Lambourn trainer’s winners came in the shape of Quebee in the one mile handicap. Ridden by Kirby again another jockey on a double who took the thee year old  Martin Collins home bred by Sir Percy home by a length from Hugo Palmer's Banish ridden by James Doyle.
The second of the Lambourn trainer’s winners came in the shape of Quebee in the one mile handicap.
The 15/8 fav on two wins now from five starts, led and held on well from a furlong out. ‘This is a very game, sweet natured little filly. Despite the hike in weights from her previous runs she is a type that will improve and hopefully come on again from the run.’
The trainer mentioned, ‘she is a tidy filly, she won her maiden well, and has come here off a rating of 83 and won a handicap well.’ 
Again it would be fair to mention that all the placed horses in the race should go on to better things, so it makes it all the better for the Clive Cox duo as their careers develop.
Kodilne

Quebee
The penultimate race was taken in fine style by the Godolphin horse Laugh Aloud, a three-year-old by Dubawi,who won as a 4/11 on fav should by seven lengths easily from Sir Michael Stouts Jantina.
On her fourth outing only, her first run only being out of the first two the filly commanded the mile maiden fillies race from the off, drawing well clear at the furlong pole under James Doyle

‘It wasn’t the greatest of races really,’ mentioned the jockey. ‘But she is a nice strong type who has taken the race well, we won’t get too excited yet and see how she progresses, but I’d say she will do well for herself.’ The Godolphin team playing the cards close to the chest with this smart filly. One to watch I believe.
Laugh Aloud
The final race, George Baker and trainer David Lanigan partnered up to take the one mile two furlongs’ handicap for three year olds and up with Athlon.
The gelding by Arakan, sent to post the 11/8 fav was pushed out readily from Adam Kirby’s mount Guns of Leros in the final furlong, Kirby looking for his treble.
George Baker had other ideas and held the onto the race by a couple of lengths in the horses seventh run, and second win of his career.


The trainer on hearing the going of good to firm was going to take the three-year-old out of the race before the meeting started, but a well timed call to Ted Durkin who rode in the first confirmed that the ground was riding well enough for the horse to take his chances.

‘He is a horse that is still improving, he was a late foal and has more developing yet to come, but he is learning with each run which is pleasing. ‘The trainer’s thoughts are that the horse would get a mile and a half in time, the horse liking the softer ground would be the type with an autumn campaign in front to him after a little rest.
The trainer likes this horse and would be certainly one to underline in the form books.


The final race George Baker and trainer David Lanigan, partnered up to take the one mile two furlongs’ handicap for three year olds and up with Athlon.

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