Jockey Harry Davies enjoys first win on the Rowley Mile
Noble Truth (7-4 Favourite) handed the Godolphin team of trainer Charlie Appleby and jockey William Buick with a quick-fire 6.5-1 double when successful in the Listed Betfair King Charles II Stakes (7f) at Newmarket this afternoon.
Racing on the far side of the course along with Eldrickjones, the three year old Kingman colt made all for a an easy six-length victory over Honey Sweet (12-1) to add to the success of Nations Pride in the preceding contest.
Charlie Appleby said: “That was a great ride by William. It was always the plan to keep him away from the other horses. When we got beat at Newbury on soft ground everyone was just taking us on and Nathan Brennan who rides him every day does some job as he pulls like an express train.
“The plan today was to jump out and get away from everyone else and see whether he could relax and get into a rhythm. You could sort of see that he’d put it to bed from half way because he was in that sort of rhythm and he’s a good horse as he’s got some rock solid juvenile form there. You can disregard that run in Saudi because he just didn’t turn up on the dirt but that’s the game.
“I’ve got to give a lot of credit though to Nathan as he’s done some job – he was quite happy for him to run today to give his arms a day off! I’m not sure ab0out what’s next, personally looking at him I wonder if he’s a Jersey Stakes (staged over 7f at Royal Ascot in June) horse. He might just be a bit vulnerable over the mile but to be fair he wasn’t stopping there, so we’ll see.”
Trainer Karl Burke said of runner-up Honey Sweet: “She has definitely improved in herself after her last run with the cheekpieces back on. She is still a light-framed filly and I thought through the winter she would have filled out into her frame but she has started to do that since her last run.
“I’m sure there is a Listed or Group Three race for her in France. I was very happy with her run today and it was much better than her first run.
“She probably needs the cheekpieces on to be at her best but hopefully she will step forward now.
“The way she stayed on and kept going, she might get a mile in one of those races in France where they leave you alone in front but that is maybe something for later in the year.
“She wouldn’t want the ground any quicker than that but Clifford (Lee, jockey) said she moved fine on that.”
The Betfair Daily Rewards Handicap (7f) went the way of Shine So Bright (9-2). The six year old wore down leader and 13-8 Favourite Wizard D’Amour inside the final furlong to take the honours by a length under apprentice Harry Davies, who was enjoying his first victory on the Rowley Mile.
Winning trainer Andrew Balding said: “Hopefully that will give the horse some confidence as he has had a tough time.
“He has had a number of issues and has just started to work well over the last couple of weeks. I thought he might have needed it but he (Harry Davies) has ridden him well.
“He won the Free Handicap here and he won the Group Two up at York (the City of York Stakes in 2019). He is a decent horse but he has just had a number of issues. He will go for the Buckingham Palace now at Royal Ascot.”
Harry Davies added: “I’m really happy. I was pleased when I knew I was going to get the ride on Shine So Bright for my boss. The horse hasn’t run for a while so we were going to learn a little bit about him today. He is going to have a good season but it was good for him to win today.
“I’m just really pleased. It was a great thrill (to win on the Rowley Mile). I’ve ridden work on it a few times and often thought about myself crossing the line in front. It is great to finally get a winner here as it is a long time coming.”
The Jockey Club Newmarket Press Release
