The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Welsh raider strikes goldat Perth
FEATURE RACE: Father and son combine to claim prize as Henllan Harri holds off Beeves
A bumper crowd of over 6,000 watched Henllan Harri claim the Energy Check City of Perth Gold Cup yesterday.
Peter Bowen’s 10-year-old and last year’s hero Beeves produced a grandstand finish in the £40,000 handicap chase, the richest race staged at the Scone track.
The pair had a ding-dong tussle throughout the three mile contest and it was the Sean Bowen-ridden 6-1 chance that prevailed by a couple of lengths.
Winning trainer Bowen was taking his 2018 score at Perth to a perfect five winners from five runners and his jockey son said: “I told my dad he was a certainly in this so it was good to be proved right!
“We went a right good gallop and Beeves was so tough to shake off.
“It’s a terrific prize to win for the time of year and we love coming to Perth even though it’s a 10-hour journey for the horsebox.”
The Welsh father and son combination had earlier initiated a shortpriced double when Curious Carlos saw off Caius Marcus in the Coretrax Technology Novices’ Chase.
The winning trainer said: “His form is starting to look alright as the horse we beat at Sedgefield last time has won since at Kelso.
“We will stick at two miles for now and he enjoys this nice ground.”
Indian Temple and Harry Reed repeated last year’s win in the Mackie’s Celebrate The Summer Handicap Chase.
The winner, who made all running to score by 13 lengths, is trained by Reed’s former jockey father Tim.
Reed, who received a two-day whip ban, said: “I didn’t know I was so far clear as one of the first things my dad taught me was never to look behind!”
Jim Goldie was all smiles after Titus Bolt pipped Nendrum by a length and a half in the Energy Check Utility Comparison Handicap Hurdle.
“I’m delighted as this horse was off the course for two years with a leg problem and he’s owned by Ian Dalgleish who has been with me for a few years now.”
Perth’s next date is the brand new Saturday meeting, the BRAW Raceday on June 23.
Musselburgh held a sold-out ladies day on Saturday with Pipita springing a surprise in the feature race.
Richard Hannon’s 20-1 Berkshire rider was driven to a neck success by Phillip Makin in the £40,000 Stobo Castle Gold Cup (Listed).
The winning jockey said: “She gave me a great ride and it’s all about getting some black type for these fillies. She’s been brave and stuck on well when I asked her.”
No Lippy could be Royal Ascot-bound after she scorched home for Franny Norton in the ebfstallions.com Edinburgh Castle Stakes.
Jock Bennett, representing winning trainer Mark Johnston, said: “We were disappointed when she was only ninth in a Listed race at York after her wins at Doncaster and Chester so this was more like it today.”
Edinburgh-born Karen Mclintock saddled Rockwood to victory in the Gaynor Windyard Handicap.
The winner is co-owned by Ian Clements and Dr Graham Parry and Mclintock said: “They take turns in whose colours he runs in.
“Hopefully it will be a wee tonic for Dr Parry as he’s currently in hospital and used to be the racecourse doctor at Market Rasen.”