There were two shock results on the same card at Lingfield on Tuesday as Ask Her Out and Theyseekhimthere struck gold at 150-1 and 125-1 respectively.
Ask Her Out was making her racecourse debut in the curtain-raising Weatherbys & Birdie Calendars Open NH Flat Race for owner-trainer Richard Rowe and was given a patient ride by 3lb claimer Tabitha Worsley before taking closer order on the home turn.
The five-year-old finished strongly on the all-weather surface to get up and beat The Glen Rovers by a neck, with Rowe insisting afterwards that her performance was not a complete surprise.
“We’ve always thought a little bit of her, I half mentioned to my owners that she was for sale and I didn’t really get any takers,” he said.
“I thought I’d run her and find out whether her work at home added up on the racecourse and sure enough it did, so I was very pleased, as quite often it goes the other way.
“She’s not a flashy work-horse, but she’s a very honest filly and as long as they try, you’ve got a chance, haven’t you?
“If she’d been fourth or fifth, I’d have been very happy with that, so the fact she’s gone and won is a bonus. I’m hoping someone might buy her now – every time the phone rings, I’m getting excited!”
The Warren Greatrex-trained Theyseekhimthere was also a three-figure price for the Watch Off The Fence On attheraces.com EBF ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle, having finished tailed off on his only previous start in a Wetherby bumper in the spring.
But with title-chasing Sean Bowen in the saddle, the five-year-old proved a completely different proposition, lunging late to deny New Order by a neck.
Greatrex said: “He’s a nice horse who had one run in a bumper. He’s very big and raw and obviously very well-bred, so we liked him.
“We’ve had to do loads of schooling with him, as he has been a bit clumsy. Today was just about seeing where we were with him, but he has shown ability, Sean gave him a lovely ride and the key is he loves that (soft) ground.”
He added: “I’m never short of words really, but I was shocked. I could see it happening from three-quarters of the way through the race, at which stage I thought he’d definitely be placed.
“Today is a very pleasing shock because if he can do that from where he is at the moment, there will be so much improvement with him going forward because he doesn’t know he’s a racehorse yet.
“His jumping will get slicker, fitness-wise he will improve and he’ll just become more of a man after today. I’m really thrilled as he was doing his best work at the end, which is always a good sign, and I would say he’s got a very bright future.”
Bowen went on to complete a quick-fire double in extraordinary circumstances in the following Weatherbys Stallion Book Novices’ Handicap Chase.
The Welsh jockey was riding 11-2 shot Dysania, trained by his father Peter Bowen and winless in 15 previous career starts.
He looked booked for minor honours at best at the top of the home straight after some slow jumps put him on the back foot, but Bowen somehow conjured up a late surge from his mount and they got up in the final stride to pip Williamdeconqueror by a short head.
The rider is now on 99 winners for the campaign, putting him 26 clear of nearest pursuer Harry Cobden on 63, with dual champion Brian Hughes in third on 61.
Supreme Ventures Racing urges review of racing rule after Caymanas Park abandonments
Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL), operators of Caymanas Park, have called for a review of Rule 44 (iii) enforced by the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) following the cancellation of two races during the April 27 race meet at Caymanas Park.
In a press conference on Monday addressing the abandoned races, SVREL Executive Chairman Solomon Sharpe expressed frustration with the rule, highlighting its potential impact on the racing industry.
"This rule, unique to Jamaica, imposes a strict five-minute limit after the published post time for races at Caymanas Park," Sharpe stated. "It fails to account for various factors that can delay race starts and penalizes all stakeholders when races are abandoned, affecting punters, jockeys, grooms, trainers, owners, promoters, and the government."
Last year, Caymanas Park contributed over $260 million in combined taxes to the government's coffers. Sharpe urged the JRC to engage SVREL in discussions on Rule 44, emphasizing the need for constructive dialogue to address the rule's impact.
"We were not consulted during the initial discussions on this rule, and now, with two races abandoned in a single race day, our concerns have materialized," Sharpe explained. "SVREL is open to collaborating with the JRC to review and refine this amended rule."
Representatives from the Grooms Association, Jockeys Association, and the United Racehorse Trainers Association echoed SVREL's concerns and supported the call for a review of Rule 44.
Sharpe concluded by appealing to regulators, stakeholders, and the public to support the growth of the horseracing industry in Jamaica. "Horseracing has immense potential in Jamaica and can become a significant foreign exchange earner. Realizing this potential requires collaboration among all stakeholders."
SVREL has been operating Caymanas Park since March 2017 after the government divested the property. With investments exceeding J$4 billion in product enhancements and innovations like the Mouttet Mile, which boasts the largest purse in the English-speaking Caribbean, SVREL remains committed to advancing the horseracing experience in Jamaica.
Supreme Ventures Racing regrets abandonment of two races at Caymanas Park on Saturday
Supreme Ventures Racing & Entertainment Limited (SVREL) has expressed regret and disappointment following the abandonment of two races during the Saturday, April 27 race day at Caymanas Park in St Catherine, Jamaica.
The decision to abandon these races, SVREL said, was made in compliance with regulations set forth by the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC), leading to the refund of all related pools according to SVREL's Pari-mutuel rules.
According to the statement released by SVREL late Saturday, the abandonment of races number one and six, respectively, was declared by the stewards of the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) due to delays that exceeded the permitted time frame as stipulated by Rule 44(iii).
Specifically, in race number one, scheduled to commence at 12:00 pm, a saddling issue with horse number five and a mandatory veterinary check for horse number eight, which reared and fell after exiting the saddling barn, resulted in delays beyond the allowable limit.
Similarly, race number six, slated for 3:10 pm, was delayed due to a horse running loose, ultimately leading to its abandonment by the stewards of the JRC.
SVREL explained that the recent amendments to Rule 44(iii), which came into effect from April 1, 2024, mandate strict adherence to race start times with a maximum allowance of five minutes after the published post time. SVREL noted that Jamaica is unique in enforcing such a rule without prior consultation with the sole promoter of horseracing in Jamaica.
The enforcement of this rule has led to financial losses for industry stakeholders, including owners, trainers, jockeys, grooms, punters, and the promoter and as such the disruption caused by the abandonment of these races understandably resulted in unrest among stakeholder groups.
Despite the challenges faced, the race meet resumed with race number seven at approximately 4:00 pm, SVREL noted.
SVREL has now issued a sincere apology to valued customers and stakeholders for the inconvenience caused by the abandonment of races one and six by the JRC. SVREL also emphasized its readiness for open dialogue with the JRC and all impacted stakeholders to ensure the continued success and integrity of the horseracing industry.
As the sole promoter of horseracing in Jamaica, SVREL said it remains committed to addressing challenges collaboratively and upholding the highest standards of professionalism and service within the industry.
Light seeking to shine again at Sandown
Kitty’s Light is taking aim at his usual season finisher in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown.
The gelding has been a star for trainer Christian Williams, winning big handicap events like the Eider Chase and the Scottish Grand National and going close in the Charlie Hall and the Coral Trophy.
He has particularly good record in the bet365 Gold Cup on the final day of the season, missing out only due to interference when second in 2021 and coming home third in 2022.
Last year he was completed the set of podium finishes when winning by two and a half lengths under usual jockey Jack Tudor.
The two are well acquainted and teamed up for Kitty’s Light’s Grand National bid at Aintree earlier in the month, where he ran a valiant race to finish fifth behind four Grade-One winning Irish chasers.
Williams was incredibly proud of his stable star and is now hoping the gelding can shine again in the Sandown contest he has found to be lucrative in the past.
“It was wonderful, we trained him to win the race and we thought he could, but you couldn’t be disappointed with what he did,” Williams said of the National performance.
“We were thrilled, the horse tried his best and we were very, very proud of horse and jockey.
“He’s come out of it very well, if the race was run today even then he’d be running, he’s in good form.
“He loves it at Sandown with the big fences, his jumping has come on now but even as a five-year-old he nearly won the race.
“He was third the year after that, it really seems to suit him.
“I think he likes going right-handed, he hangs a little bit right at home and he seems to really enjoy it there.
“We’re taking our chance anyway, he seems well and we’ll hope for the best.”
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