Fine racing at the Summer Carnival

Gordon Elliott and Richard Johnson dominated Perth Racecourse’s sold out Summer Carnival card.

In front of a 10,000 crowd on Saturday, Make My Heart Fly started the ball rolling in the opener followed swiftly by Galvin, King’s Song, Cubomania and Carrie Des Champs.

Galvin carries the colours of Airdrie owner Ronnie Bartlett and Elliott said: “He was very, very green in front and needs two and a half miles.

“Richard said there wasn’t any pace in the race and he was only doing what he had to do.”

On his five winners, the Irish trainer added:“I had six winners in Ireland last year but I’m still delighted with this haul.

“This has always been a special place as this was where it all started with our first winner Arresting in 2006 and he was also ridden by Richard.”

Last year’s runner-up Caius Marcius went one better in the feature race.

Ridden by Brian Hughes, the 4/1 chance pipped Elliott’s High Expectations by a neck in a thrilling finish to the Stone Of Destiny Handicap Hurdle.

After landing the £30,000 contest, winning trainer Nicky Richards said: “It’s a great prize to win at this time of year.

“I never doubted his resolution even after he was second in three starts over fences.

“He ran within a pound of his mark each time and just bumped into a decent horse.

“We will probably mix and match hurdling and chasing and he just needs a good, honest, even gallop.”

Next up at Perth is the annual Autumn Raceday on Monday, September 10 followed by the two-day Glorious Finale on September 26 and 27.