Search

Warren Point adds further depth to Appleby’s middle-distance hand

Charlie Appleby once again dominated the opening race at Goodwood, with Warren Point just getting up to deny stablemate Blue Trail in the Coral Kincsem Handicap.

Trainer : CHARLIE APPLEBY.
Trainer : CHARLIE APPLEBY. Picture: PA Images.

Charlie Appleby once again dominated the opening race at Goodwood, with Warren Point just getting up to deny stablemate Blue Trail in the Coral Kincsem Handicap.

Appleby, who took Wednesday's opener with Secret State, fielded three in the near-10 furlong contest with William Buick on Warren Point (9-2), James Doyle on the top-weight Natural World and Frankie Dettori partnering Blue Trail.

Yet it was Dettori on the seemingly third-string Blue Trail (18-1) who went clear with a furlong to run, looking like he had stolen it.

Buick burst out of the pack to chase him down, though, and the Great Voltigeur entry prevailed by a neck with the pair three and a quarter lengths clear of the beaten 3-1 favourite Migdam.

Assistant trainer Alex Merriam said: "It was nice that they both ran pleasing races.

"Warren Point has only had three races and was a bit keen last time. He was really impressive, and William gave him a lovely ride.

"I spoke to Charlie and he mentioned stepping him up to a mile and a half. He's in the Great Voltigeur, which is a possibility.

"Blue Trail also ran well. It looks like the gelding operation has benefitted him."

Buick added of the winner: "For his pedigree, he shows a lot of pace which is a good sign and he will stay a mile and a half in time. He is one to look forward to."

Hollie Doyle and Michael Dods teamed up for the first time to great effect with Prairie Falcon (14-1) in the Jaeger-Lecoultre Nursery Handicap.

Dods, who won last year's Stewards' Cup with Commanche Falls, and Doyle, who won the Nassau Stakes earlier on the card with Nashwa, did not look to have great prospects of adding to their Goodwood tallies.

But the three-race maiden relished the step up in trip, sticking on gamely to beat XJ Rascal by a head.

Owner Terry Holdcroft of Bearstone Stud said: "He's flown at the finish in his last two races and should have won both of them.

"Michael was worried about the ground the distance and the track, but I said 'come on Michael, let's go down there'.

"He's a good looker and has the frame to make up in to a three-year-old. Hollie said she had trouble pulling him up."

Clive Cox's Get Ahead came with a powerful run down the usually unfavoured middle of the track to win the five-furlong World Pool Handicap.

Sixth in the Queen Mary last season, she had been out of luck in five outings this campaign but returned to winning ways under Adam Kirby at 7-1.

Jonny Peate thankfully escaped serious injury when his saddle slipped on Sophie's Star.

"She's always been a promising filly, but sadly injured herself in the Queen Mary," said Cox.

"This year has been a rebuilding programme of which Liam Keniry has played a big part, but she had more weight to carry today.

"Liam got no run on her at Ascot and they dropped her a couple of pounds which gave me the easy decision to run her in this rather than the King George."


Racing and Sports

today's racing

Error occured
{{disciplineGroup.DisciplineFullText}}
{{course.CountryName || course.Country}}