Saint Gobain Weber Park Stakes |
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| Group 2, Doncaster 15:10 £100,000 added, 3yo plus, 7f, Class 1  |
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| Saturday 10th September 2016 | |
1 Breton Rock 7/2
2 The Happy Prince 14/1
3 Adaay 4/1
8 ran Distances: shd, ½l, 1l
TIME 1m 25.35s (slow by 2.35s)
Breton Rock just denies The Happy Prince in a thrilling finish
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The 7/2 second-favourite looked to be struggling as The Happy Prince burst into the lead at the furlong pole and it looks as if the Aidan O'Brien-trained four-year-old had put the race to bed. However, jockey Andrea Atzeni never gave up and Breton Rock responded to his urgings, conjuring up a withering run to catch the runner-up on the line.
Trainer David Simcock was delighted with the performance of the winner after the race.
"He's an absolute star," said the trainer. "He's a pleasure to train and gives his owner (John Cook), who is a really good man, a lot of pleasure. He finished sixth in a Lockinge (at Newbury) on good ground so he's quite versatile. That little bit of rain we've had has helped - it's just loose on top now and a lot of horses can't handle that.
"When Roderick Duncan (Clerk of the Course at Doncaster) said it was Good, Good to Firm in places this morning and there wouldn't be much more rain, I wasn't a happy man. I wasn't too happy after last week (when Breton Rock was beaten at Haydock) but he's made up for that here. I love these old horses. They come good for you and he is another that is a pleasure to train - he is so straightforward and very simple. Last week's run would have put him absolutely spot on for this.
"Andrea said that he came off the bridle after three and a half furlongs, so he gave him a squeeze and he came back on it. He said that he was pretty confident from there and all he needed was a gap. Last week - he had never won over a mile, had a 4lb penalty and was coming back from a break, so there was plenty against him. The little rain we had here at 11 o'clock has made a huge difference as it has loosened the ground. Some horses don't like racing on loose ground but he enjoyed it."
The Park Stakes
£100,000 added, 3yo plus, 7f, Class 1
8 ran
Going: Good, Good to Firm in places
| Pos | Dr | D | Horse SP | Jockey Weight | Trainer | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | (8) | Breton Rock (IRE) 7/2 | Andrea Atzeni 9-4 |
D M Simcock | 6 | |
| 2nd | (4) | s.h | The Happy Prince (IRE) 14/1 | J A Heffernan 9-4 |
A P O'Brien | 4 |
| 3rd | (3) | ½ | Adaay (IRE) 4/1 | P Hanagan 9-4 |
W J Haggas | 4 |
| 4th | (2) | 1 | Buckstay (IRE) 9/1 | J P Spencer 9-4 |
P W Chapple-Hyam | 6 |
| 5th | (6) | 1¾ | Richard Pankhurst 11/4f | W Buick 9-4 |
J H M Gosden | 4 |
| 6th | (7) | ½ | Cougar Mountain (IRE) 10/1 | D O'Brien 9-4 |
A P O'Brien | 5 |
| 7th | (5) | ½ | Toormore (IRE) 9/2 | James Doyle 9-4 |
R Hannon | 5 |
| 8th | (1) | 8 | Kentucky-connection (USA) 50/1 | Connor Beasley 9-4 |
B Smart | 3 |
SECOND PRINCE STILL HAPPY
Seamie Heffernan warmed up for the Ladbrokes St Leger with a short head second in the Saint Gobain Weber Park Stakes, on board The Happy Prince.
The Aidan O'Brien raider, sent of at 14/1, went for home first but was collared on the line by the winner Breton Rock.
Heffernan said of his O'Brien-trained ride: "He ran very well, he is getting there now. His last run was good and today was a notch up again, I am happy with him.
"I hope I can go one better in the next one (aboard favourite Idaho)!"
Paul Smith, son of part-owner Derrick Smith, commented: "He ran a great race.
"He is by Rip Van Winkle and it is great seeing them coming to the fore. He did that well, Seamie said it was his ideal trip and he ran a big race.
"We are hopeful about the Ladbrokes St Leger. All the horses are in great form, Aidan is really happy with them, they travelled over well. We didn't get the rain that we were expecting, which is probably a good thing for us. There is probably a little bit of cut in there which you expect - we have a big chance.
"We are going to try and get back in time for the Irish Champion Stakes."
Paul Hanagan, on board third home Adaay (4/1), said: "He ran really well.
"He just hung most of the way. Maybe the ground was a bit too slow for him, they are getting into it now."
RECENT WINNERS
Year Horse Trainer Jockey Owner SP
2015 Limato H Candy Andrea Atzeni Paul G Jacobs 9/2 fav
2014 Ansgar Miss S J Harty James Doyle Ms Chynel Phelan & Shane Fox 7/2
2013 Viztoria Eddie Lynam Wayne Lordan Sheila Lavery 7/2
2012 Libranno Richard Hannon Kieren Fallon McDowell Racing 16/1
2011 Premio Loco Chris Wall George Baker Bernard Westley 15/8 fav
2010 Balthazaar’s Gift Clive Cox Philip Robinson H E Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan 16/1
2009 Duff Edward Lynam IRE Fran Berry Kilboy Estate 7/1
2008 Arabian Gleam Jeremy Noseda Johnny Murtagh Saeed Suhail 9/1
2007 Arabian Gleam Jeremy Noseda Johnny Murtagh Saeed Suhail 5/2
2006 Iffraaj Saeed bin Suroor Frankie Dettori Godolphin 4/6 fav
2005 Iffraaj Michael Jarvis Philip Robinson Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum 7/1
2004 Pastoral Pursuits Hughie Morrison Steve Drowne The Pursuits Partnership 5/1
2003 Polar Ben James Fanshawe Jamie Spencer Simon Gibson 5/1
2002 Duck Row James Toller Richard Hughes Duke Of Devonshire 8/1
2001 Tough Speed Sir Michael Stoute Kieren Fallon Saeed Suhail 6/1
2000 Distant Music Barry Hills Michael Hills Khalid Abdullah 4/1
1999 Sugarfoot Nigel Tinkler Pat Eddery Mrs D Wright 15/2
