Wk1 Reviews - Flat (UK)

WEEK ONE

Lead Story

Electric O'Sullivan Leads Championship Race

Michael O'Sullivan strode purposefully out of Wolverhampton on Friday night determined to realise his dream of winning the UK trainers championship for the first time. The stream of winners began with a scambling short head victory for Real Energy and ended with a rather more emphatic success in the shape of three year old gelding Mr Hope.

He leads the championship with ten winners all told, and is surely set for some top prizes over the coming months.

O'Sullivan knows however that there are some well known faces hot on his heels. Colin Pereira has been in buoyant mood over the strength of his stable this year, with some big owners turning up on his doorstep. His three winners put him fourth in the table behind John Reddis whose eight runners returned a fabulous six victories. Indeed the Australian trainer has yet to have a runner outside the first three.

Experienced trainer Lee Cara lies in third place with four winners including the impressive stayer Easy On The Eye.

For the official Flat Racing (UK) trainer championship table - click the link on the right of the page.

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Robertson Reveals Derby Hope

Trainer Kenny Robertson was in a world of his own on Friday evening, after his imposing three year old bay gelding X The Unknown surged through to take the Gold Stables maiden stakes division two at Wolverhampton. "We thought nine furlongs was going to be on the sharp side for him, and with Baker carrying 2lbs overweight we weren't confident. He will be entered in the UAE Derby after that run, but we might be brought down to earth against some stronger opposition", he suggested.

Stable lad John Campbell had been more hopeful. "He has been flying on the gallops this week working with South China and Hernando - two very progressive middle distance three year olds. He will go to Dubai with every chance", he smiled

Top rated for the race at present is Mr Hope from the powerful Michael O'Sullivan stable. Other runners to watch for include Lilly Langtry who finished an unlucky second in the Gold Stables maiden division one contest.

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Banks Hill Opens His Account For Jacob Cohen

London based trainer Jacob Cohen is looking to cash in on his middle distance older aged stallion Bank's Hill, after claiming the Lisa Huff Is A Bomb maiden stakes over twelve furlongs.

Held up behind a wall of runners early, he made good progress to be just on the heels of the leaders half way. As the field quickened approaching the two furlong marker, Bank's Hill was temporarily checked in his run and had to be switched off the rail. He ran on in determined fashion to hold the late challenge of Aqaleem in a desperate finish.

"Banks Hill was bred from Quest For Fame and a French horse called Money Hills who won a host of twelve furlong contests including the Arc and Sheema Classic. In turn he has sired a three year old I have called Parisian Sunrise, who finished third on debut over twelve furlongs, and my best three year old filly, Midday who will debut next week".

"The plan before Bank's Hill ran was to go to the Sheema Classic, and after his win, he will definitely go there now. Any future engagements will depend on his performance in Meydan" said Jacob Cohen.

Notebook Entries

Jacob Cohen later ran through a couple of promising stable inmates.

I like Spanish Steps, second on debut ans she now goes for the Cammidge Trophy with heavy ground no problem, and Dancing Brave who is my not so secret weapon who makes his debut iin week two in the Ledger Path Maiden".

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Ballyhaunis Makes The Transition In Iron Horse Maiden

Colm O'Dea was in his element after the stables well bred stayer Ballyhaunis forged a victory in the Iron Horse maiden stakes - over the punishing two mile three furlong course. Always in the firing line the three year old filly took control as they turned into the straight and battled on gamely to score by three parts of a length from the Rich Coates trained Dr Sharp.

Post race O'Dea was upbeat in his assessment:

"Ballyhaunis is a true stayer. The longer the better, and has the ability to keep finding more. She's happy on changing ground conditions, although good or a little cut in the ground would probably be her ideal surface. Her sire was a Gold Cup and Queen Alexandra winner, which is where she gets her stamina from. Her Dam was very good over two miles, and boasted above average speed and turn of foot for that distance. I've been lucky to have some great stayers in the stables in the past seasons, but they just missed out on the big targets. She could rectify that record"

"Her main target for the season is the Gold Cup and Prix Du Cadran, and perhaps a few of the regular pattern races en-route to these targets. I wouldn't rule out a drop to two miles or two miles one furlong". Colm O'Dea trainer of Ballyhaunis.

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