HAGGAS FEELS MO-MENTUM
Grounds for optimism
MOHAAFETH took a big step towards the Cazoo Derby at Epsom on Saturday week as he powered through a Newmarket workout yesterday.
Last week, connections warned the William Haggas-trained colt, a 7-1 chance after an effortless five-length success in the Listed Newmarket Stakes at the start of the month, would miss the Classic in the event of soft ground.
But Haggas was purring after watching the son of Frankel go through his paces under big-race jockey Jim Crowley yesterday morning.
“Jim came this morning and rode him on the Rowley Mile,” said the master of Newmarket’s Somerville Lodge stable.
“He worked with two very smart old horses and he worked very nicely – he travelled very comfortably with Ilaraab and Faylaq.
“If it’s soft, I would be very keen not to run and wait until Ascot but if it’s good or faster, we’re up for it big time.”
Meanwhile, Royal Ascot will play host to 12,000 spectators on each of its five days next month after being added to a list of government COVID-19 pilot events.
The five-day fixture, which runs from June 15-19, had originally been limited to a daily limit of 4,000 attendees.
But yesterday, British Horseracing Authority chief executive Julie Harrington said: “It is excellent news that Ascot will be included in the Events Research Programme as a pilot event.
“It is a chance to demonstrate how racing events are perfectly suited to safely hosting spectators in greater numbers as we progress through the government’s roadmap for the easing of lockdown restrictions.” RYAN DAY has shocked National ★
Hunt racing by announcing his retirement from the weighing room aged just 27.
Day, stable jockey to Greystoke trainer Nicky Richards, rode 100 winners, including Guitar Pete in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at Cheltenham in December 2017.