Not averse to winning
● Hamilton win brings up hat-trick for Gulf of Poets
Gulf of Poets completed his hat-trick in style when romping away with the Weatherbys Hamiltonian Handicap at Hamilton yesterday.
A winner at Wolverhampton and Pontefract in April, Mick Easterby’s 9-2 chance saw off Fivehundredmiles by a comfortable length and a quarter with 11-4 favourite Carnageo back in third.
Jockey Nathan Evans said: “He did it quite nicely and I was pleased with that. He had two quick races so we gave him a break to sweeten him up. I’d say he has come back as good as ever and the ground isn’t that bad and is drying out all the time.”
Local trainer Linda Perratt cameoffthe“coldlist”tosaddle her first winner of the season as five-time Ayr scorer Dark Crystal took the Alex Fergusson Memorial Handicap in the hands of David Nolan.
East Kilbride-based Perratt said: “One or two of the horses haven’t been quite right so it’s nice to get one on the board. We also thought about an entry at Ayr for Dark Crystal but this race looked easier and the ground suited too.”
Irish duo Keith Clarke and Robbie Downey made their first visit a winning one when theycombinedtowinthehamilton Park Supporting Racing To School Handicap with Mistiness. Clarke said: “Robbie is a terrific young apprentice and doesn’t get the recognition his talents deserve.”
At Sandown, Rosarno, who disappointed on his return to action can atone with victory intheboodlesdiamondhandicap. Charlie Hills’ runner was stepped up to 10 furlongs on his seasonal bow at Windsor last month, kicking off his handicap career on a mark of 83. However, he was never a factor that day, with Andrea Atzeni easing him from some way out. A quick glance back to last year in the form book offers much more hope for the son of Fastnet Rock as he ran very green when fifth on his debut before winning a Newbury maiden over a mile in October. Rosarno appeared good value for his half-length verdict that day, with no fewer than seven of those finishing in behind having gone on to win subsequently.