Five winners for birthday boy trainer Dennis Drier

Trainer Dennis Drier could not have celebrated a better birthday as he was able to lead in five winners at Scottsville yesterday. It was the first time he had trained five winners at a meeting. His previous best was four.

“You dream about days like these – and for it to happen on your birthday is nothing short of exceptional,” said Drier. “I’m over the moon!” Remarkably, horses from his stable won five of the first six races, starting off in Race 1 where Anton Marcus scored a comfortable win on 6-10 favourite Sacred Flame.

“All my horses were working extremely well at home so much was expected of them and Sacred Fort won well. You win one and never think it will turn into four more,” said Drier.

In Race 2 his runners finished fifth and sixth but after that the flood gates opened.

Salimah found plenty of support to go off 13-10 favourite in Race 3 and it proved an armchair ride for Sean Veale as she romped to a 3.75-length victory over Flo Joyner.

Seventh Plain had to work a lot harder in Race 4 but in typical Marcus fashion, the former champion jockey drove the 6-1 shot home to touch off 3-1 favourite Summer Sky, ridden by current champion jockey Anthony Delpech.

It was Marcus again in Race 5 who brought home Lloyd’s Legacy at 18-10. He got the better of Panza to win by 1.75 lengths.

Winner No 5 came from apprentice Diego de Gouveia who rode a superb race to get 9-2 shot Constantine home by a short head at the expense of She’s A Fortress.

“I could have never predicted this. I have had four winners before but never five and to win four in a row on this specific day is amazing,” he said. “You expect them to run well but days like this can never be planned, I’m speechless,” said Drier.