Trainer Tom Tate admitted it would be a “great pleasure” if he could return Equiano Springs to Newmarket Rowley’s Mile in 12 months’ time after securing the Turners Park Homes Handicap for the third time under what he described as a “masterclass” ride by Tom Queally.
After landing the six-furlong sprint in 2019 and in 2021 the evergreen eight year old continued his love affair with the course when securing top honours once more in a race he has made his own with victory under Classic-winning rider Queally.
Although briefly looking like having his work cut inside the final quarter of a mile, having appeared to travel into contention strongly, 100-30 favourite ended up running out a cosy three quarters of a length winner from Celsius.
Tate said: “It suits him here. Tom Queally said when he first won here that it suits him here and he said keep coming back as it doesn’t suit them all.
“He is not an easy ride. Fortunately we have our own gallops and you have to pull him up on a certain point on them as well.
“If I know I’ve got Tom on board I don’t worry and he gave him another masterclass of a ride. That’s the fifth time he has won at Newmarket – four here and once on the other track.
“I’m not sure if there is another race back here for him this year but he needs better ground as he is no good on soft.
“We will just take it one day at a time. It would be a great pleasure to be back here next year.”
Pam Sly will always have a special affiliation with Rowley Mile following the victory of Speciosa in the 2006 1000 Guineas and the dual-purpose trainer enjoyed more success at the track on Saturday following the victory of Astral Beau.
Having scored for the first time since making a winning debut at Leicester when scoring at the July Course last month the Brazen Beau filly added to that victory by a neck in the seven-furlong Turners Handicap at the scene of her grand dam’s famous triumph
Sly said of the 17-2 winner: “The ground was a shade quicker (than on the July Course). I did say to Shane (Kelly, jockey) when she hits the rising ground she might be alright.
“He is a great chap and I don’t know why he doesn’t get the rides. It’s always nice to have a winner here and I love coming to Newmarket.
As for her now retired Classic winner she added “We’ve still got Speciosa at home though she is not in foal anymore. She has had nine or 10 foals and the last of them, Wintercrack, is currently in training with us.”
Richard Hills days in the saddle might now be over but the now retired Classic-winning rider celebrated a triumph of sorts following the success of Al Husn (9-2) who overcome a 152-day absence to land the Turners Fillies’ Handicap over a mile.
Having partnered the Roger Varian-trained three year old on the gallops Hills was on hand to watch the daughter Dubawi make her handicap debut a triumphant one when prevailing by a length and a quarter under Dane O’Neill.
Hills, who is assistant racing manager to winning owners Shadwell Estate Company, said: “She won earlier in the year at Kempton and done it well. She just had a little setback but she has come back and handled the track well today as she didn’t first time.
“She is an improving filly and there is no reason why she won’t get a mile and a quarter. I’d say she could go for a Listed race at some point.
“I recently rode her and another one, and they have both won and I threatened to get the riding boots out again!”
Few trainers have their juvenile team in better order than Ralph Beckett who celebrated his 20th two year old winner of the season following the debut success of Trust The Stars (9-1) in the opening mile Turners British EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes.
Hector Crouch, celebrating his sixth winner in succession over the past three days, said: “There was plenty of signs of greenness in there and she found the ground quickish out there as it has dried out a lot.
“She will come on for this. Whether she has another run before the end of the year I will leave that to her owners and to Mr Beckett.
“I imagine she will fill into her big frame of hers. She is an exciting prospect for next year.”
The Jockey Club Newmarket Press Release
