An eventful afternoon of racing kicked off with an impressive winner of the Castlehouse Construction Supporting Wooden Spoon Charity Novice Stakes in the shape of Misty Grey. Mark Johnston’s juvenile showed the benefit of his debut experience, sprinting clear of his rivals under Jason ‘The Hitman’ Hart to score by 7-lengths.
Div I of the VW Van Centre (Leeds) Stirring Spoon Smiles Handicap produced possibly the most remarkable winner on any UK racecourse so far in 2019. The Grand Tuer-trained Kermouster missed the break and found herself well in arrears with victory looking almost impossible. Even with a furlong left to run the task looked insurmountable for the Garswood filly but Sam James persistence eventually paid off and she flew home to win by a neck. Given the ground she forfeited earlier in the contest she could well be one to keep on the right side of next time.
Div II also produced an exciting finish with Fairy Fast holding on grimly to deny the late thrust of Seanjohnsilver for the in-form David O’Meara yard, giving Danny Tudhope his fifth winner in four meetings at Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse.
The Traditional Family Funday Handicap produced another thrilling finish. Godolphin’s Global Heat and Hector Crouch met trouble in running at a vital stage but stayed on to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in a three way photo with Takumi and the front-running Sameem.
The feature race of the day was the Wilmot-Smith Memorial Handicap and all of the talk beforehand was about whether Gurkha Friend could make it a hat-trick of wins in the race. Most of the talk after the race was also about Gurkha Friend who took the scenic route out of the paddock, proved reluctant to load into the stalls and then refused to race when they opened. With his conqueror from 2018 out of the picture, last year’s runner-up Fayez ran out a cosy winner under Shane Gray, giving David O’Meara a double in the process.
Just six went to post for the British EBF Premier Fillies’ Handicap but the race itself was a fascinating contest with all six appearing to hold every chance at the two-furlong marker. It was the Richard Hughes-trained Gold Filigree who got the better of the argument. Narrowly denied in Listed company at Bath last time, she is a filly in fine form and there could still be more to come from her.
The Chris Westerman Happy 60th Birthday Stakes saw Saeed Bin Suroor and Godolphin land a double as Great Example routed his opponents. The Cape Cross colt and Pat Cosgrave always appeared to have matters well under control and sauntered clear to score by 8 lengths.
The Ladies Day 20th June Apprentice Handicap will live long in the memory of Zak Wheatley who rode his first ever winner on board Musharrif. The Declan Carroll-trained seven-year-old made virtually all of the running from his high draw, winning with a little in hand. He escapes a penalty for that success and could prove hard to beat once more if taking up his engagement at Pontefract on Friday.
