TONY LEWIS
at Lingfield
TOP jockey Ryan Moore saved the best for last as Convey landed the £200,000 Betway Easter Classic before a record 10,817 crowd at Lingfield Park’s All-Weather Finals yesterday.
The rider had no luck in the earlier races but Convey was always handy and was in control once he struck the front.
Moore even smiled after this well-deserved success but, asked what it meant to win in front of such a big crowd on such a big day, he quipped: “Seven per cent I suppose!”
Convey, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, has been invited to run in the Champions’ Mile in Hong Kong on May 7, where owner Robert Ng is based.
Speculate
“He won his first start on the all-weather and is unbeaten on it,” said representative Rupert Pritchard-Gordon. “He was gelded over the winter and it’s been the making of him, although the talent has always been there.”
Robert Winston can speculate on more big race glory this season after steering Second Thought to a winning late thrust in the 32Red Sprint.
Trainer William Haggas grinned: “You need a horse with a turn of foot and he’s got one.”
He could be a Commonwealth Cup horse, and Winston said: “That’s given me a lot of satisfaction, especially for the owner Liam Sheridan, who has stuck by me. He gave me my first Guineas ride on Shamrock City.
“We got taken back early in the race through interference and we lost a position or two.
“He’s got all the attributes. You can tell there’s plenty more to come in the future.”
Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor’s aptly-named Winning Story landed the Betway Marathon in a new course record time.
Joe Fanning managed to defy the 14 stall to poach a clear lead on Watersmeet heading into the final furlong, while Silvestre De Sousa had emerged from number 12 before edging past. Both could ® head for the Chester Cup next. Suroor’s UAE Derby winner Thunder Snow worked four days ago and he said: “We will keep our options open about the Guineas and the Kentucky Derby. He’s done really well physically.”
He also warned: “We have started well this season with nine winners already.
“I have some nice horses coming and, for the public, there will be winners!”
Mark Johnston, trainer of Watersmeet said: “The Northumberland Plate is an option as well as the Chester Cup.”
A new pair of blinkers helped Realtra (drawn 12) to put her Dubai Carnival nightmare behind her and bounce back in the 32Red Fillies’ and Mares’ Championship.
Trainer Roger Varian will now bring her back for the Childwell Stakes on turf on the same day as the Oaks and Derby Trials.
The Newmarket handler gave Lingfield a further boost by suggesting that Dubai Prince was likely to reappear in the Derby Trial.
Guineas hope Cape Byron, however, will miss the Classic after a slight setback.
Richard Fahey maintained his grip on the Betway Sprint as well-backed Kimberella finished too strongly for his rivals under an excellent Paul Hanagan ride.
“He saw it out well and it was one of those races where it all fell right,” said the former champion jockey.
“His previous trainer David Nicholls did a tremendous job with him and a change of scenery sometimes helps these sprinters.”
Fahey had won the race twice before with Alben Star.
Sovereign Debt made it a “Dandy Double” in the Sunbets Mile as he completed a valuable treble for Stillington trainer Ruth Carr.
Another former Nicholls inmate, Sovereign Debt timed his run to perfection under James Sullivan to collar Salateen inside the last furlong.
Carr, already successful with Art Collection and Chaplin Bay at Newcastle, was only sent one of the Nicholls string when he gave up his licence.
“But this was the one that mattered!” she smiled. “I’ve only had him two months.”