Back in the land of racing
It was all eyes on Ayr Racecourse on Monday as the track welcomed back professional sport.
A nine-race card was staged behind closed doors – the first meeting held north of the border since lockdown was imposed in March.
Officials arriving at the track were ushered through a special entrance next to Western House Hotel and subject to temperature tests.
The Listed EBF Land O’Burns Fillies Stakes, won by the Michael Dods-trained Que Amoro at 3/1, was the highlight of the afternoon.
After a break of 107 days racing returned to Ayr on Monday but not quite as we know it.
The action behind closed doors was an eerie experience with around 150 people comprising of jockeys, grooms, a few trainers, racecourse staff, British Horseracing Authority personnel and security dotted round the 155 acres of the Racecourse.
But the one ingredient that wasn’t missing was quality horseracing and in the feature race of the afternoon, the Listed EBF Land O’Burns Fillies’ Stakes, we got that in spades.
Run over the minimum five furlong trip, this is traditionally the fastest race at the track and has produced some great winners over the years including the mighty Marsha who went on to win two Group 1s and was then sold for a record 6,000,000 guineas.
I have a feeling the 3-1 chance Que Amoro, who simply annihilated this field, will also go on to Group glory as she looks very special indeed.
She broke well from the stalls and Paul Mulrennan – who incidentally also rode Marsha to her victory in this race – also had her handy before letting her down over two furlongs out .
And the race was over with the Michael Dods trained filly crossing the line three lengths in front of Irish raider American Lady.
Dods also saddled the 13-8 favourite in the race in Queens Gift who finished fourth but Mulrennan said afterwards:
“I had the choice of the fillies and I chose Que Amoro.
“She was always travelling well and put it to bed some way out. She has been working well at home but will come on for that. I think we have found another really good one in her. I’m sure Michael will have big plans for her.
“It was great to be back racing at Ayr and the track was in great condition and a credit to the ground staff and we were well looked after.”
Ayrshire-born Danny Tudhope made a winning return to his home county when he drove the Keith Dalgleish trained Volatile Analyst, the 4-11 favourite, to a neck win over Benefit Street in the Jordan Electrics Novice Stakes over six furlongs.
This was only the three year old colt’s third outing having won over course and distance on his debut last August and then coming a creditable fourth in the Group 2 Richmond Stakes at Goodwood.
He defied a 326-day absence to win well and Danny said afterwards: “I’ve ridden this horse on all his starts and he’s a nice sort.
“He’s had his issues since his Goodwood run and Keith has done well with him. He wasn’t fully wound up today and there’s more to come.”
There was a major shock in the first when Meshakel, the 1-2 favourite, could only finish third of four.
The Mark Johnston trained juvenile was headed two out and the race went to Richard Fahey’s International Dream at odds of 3-1.
The one to take out of the race though was the Dalgleish trained runner up, Summa Peto, who will appreciate any step up in trip from this six furlongs.