De Sousa is a happy traveller after spare ride wins at Lingfield
SILVESTRE DE SOUSA made a winning return to British action thanks to picking up a spare ride at Lingfield.
The 2015 champion jockey, back after a successful stint in Hong Kong, replaced Ryan Moore on Traveller in the 32Red Casino Maiden Stakes.
Sent off the 1-3 favourite, the Charlie Hills-trained colt was well on top close home as he defeated Never Folding by two and a quarter lengths in a six-runner field.
De Sousa said: “I was very lucky getting a spare ride off Ryan. He was straightforward, just a bit green.
“I had a great time in Hong Kong and plenty of support.
“I have to go back there soon for a day.”
De Sousa was denied a double when second on Ed Dunlop’s Dutch Uncle in the Betway Best Odds Guaranteed Plus Handicap won by Banditry (11-4).
The Ian Williams-trained five-yearold, ridden by Stevie Donohoe, got the verdict by half a length after a prolonged duel.
Donohoe told At The Races: “They went a nice gallop the first couple of furlongs and then just down by the most important part of the track they steadied up, so I got first run.
“Then I thought if I get beat I’ve gone too soon, but he did it well.”
Donohoe also took the feature British Stallion Studs/32Red EBF Fillies’ Conditions Stakes with an easy success on Carolinae (1-6 favourite) to give him a brace on his 33rd birthday.
The Charlie Fellowes-trained fiveyear-old took advantage of the late withdrawal of Mis En Rose to come home two lengths clear of First Experience.
There had been lengthy hold-ups on the M11 and M25 in which Carolinae was caught up and threatened her appearance.
Donohoe said: “She’s done well. She had such a bad trip here but we knew this race was for the taking if she got here.
“She’s a progressive mare and I think she would have won regardless of the favourite running or not today.
“She’s been well looked after and will be in the paddock tomorrow and have a nice day off.
“The fact this race was worth so much money has put her towards the top of the earners on the all-weather for fillies and mares, so I’m delighted for the team.”