Rex Imperator Reigns in Stewards' Cup 2013

Robins Farm Racing Stewards' Cup - 3rd August 2013

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Rex Imperator Reigns in Stewards' Cup
03/08/13

1 Rex Imperator 12/1
2 Ajjaadd 66/1
3 Burwaaz 25/1
4 Racy 16/1
NR: Harrison George (IRE)
27 ran Distances: 2¼l, ½l, ½l
TIME 1m 10.35s (slow by 0.85s)

Rex Imperator landed the 2013 renewal of the £100,000 Robins Farm Racing Stewards’ Cup, the six-furlong heritage handicap on the final day of Glorious Goodwood.

He was successful by two and a quarter lengths from 66/1 shot Ajjaadd.

Neil Callan, the winning rider, said: “This means a lot because a friend of mine and I found this horse for my sponsor and some friends to go the Dubai Carnival last year. He went out there and it just didn’t suit him – it was probably the heat or whatever – he has always had an issue with the gates – and he just melted out there.

“We literally had to bring him back to England and go back to basics with him. We sent him to William and, between him and Gary Witheford, they have done a magnificent job to get him relax and get him in the gates.

“I always knew that this horse was going to be good, that’s why we found him, and I am glad that he has won a big one.

“The race was perfect. He jumped smart and William told me to ride my own race. He told me to sit on him, wait for that last burst and use him late.

“I got a nice tow into it off Heaven’s Guest and he was running away at the two-pole – I was climbing over them and just had to wait a little bit longer. He has quickened like the Group horse which I thought he was.”

Maureen Haggas, trainer William Haggas’ wife and assistant, said: “This really has been a team effort because Gary Witheford had him for a month before he came to us and he has done a fantastic job on him. Neil actually bought him for the owner. Donovan, who rides him every day, has done a fantastic job. It’s a real team effort and I am thrilled to bits.

“Sadly, the owner George Turner couldn’t be here today because his plane broke down. Steve (Parkin) has a bit of the horse with George and a lot of people have put in a lot of time and effort with the horse.

“He had a terrible reputation when he came to us – he had played up in the winter out in Dubai – which is why he went to Gary for a whole month. He and Donovan have done a cracking job between them.”

Robins Farm Racing Stewards' Cup (Heritage Handicap)
£100,000 added, 3yo plus, 6f, Class 2
27 ran
Going: Good

Position	Horse Trainer	Jockey Weight	Starting Price Beaten Distance
1	Rex Imperator W J Haggas	N Callan 9st 4lbs	12 - 1 Winner
2	Ajjaadd T E Powell	William Twiston-Davies 8st 12lbs	66 - 1 2 1/4 lengths
3	Burwaaz E A L Dunlop	P Hanagan 8st 11lbs	25 - 1 1/2 length
4	Racy B Ellison	Harry Bentley 8st 9lbs	16 - 1 1/2 length
5	Ninjago R Hannon	R Hughes 8st 13lbs	8 - 1 Head
6	Tropics D K Ivory	Jim Crowley 9st 6lbs	9 - 2 Neck
7	Louis The Pious D O'Meara	D Tudhope 9st 0lbs	16 - 1 Neck
8	Hawkeyethenoo J S Goldie	G Lee 9st 8lbs	14 - 1 Neck
9	Secret Witness R Harris	M Harley 8st 12lbs	50 - 1 1/2 length
10	Dinkum Diamond H Candy	Catherine Gannon 9st 3lbs	16 - 1 Short Head
11	Heaven's Guest R A Fahey	T Hamilton 8st 10lbs	10 - 1 Nose
12	Barnet Fair R C Guest	David Probert 8st 11lbs	28 - 1 Neck
13	Prodigality R Harris	T P Queally 9st 0lbs	16 - 1 1 length
14	Shropshire C Hills	R L Moore 9st 3lbs	8 - 1 Head
15	Hoof It M W Easterby	K Fallon 9st 12lbs	14 - 1 1/2 length
16	Dr Red Eye S Dixon	S De Sousa 8st 9lbs	33 - 1 1 3/4 length
17	Regal Parade J M Bradley	Matthew Lawson 9st 0lbs	66 - 1 1/2 length
18	Free Zone B Smart	R Ffrench 8st 12lbs	66 - 1 Neck
19	Humidor George Baker	P Cosgrave 9st 4lbs	25 - 1 Neck
20	York Glory K A Ryan	J P Spencer 9st 9lbs	8 - 1 2 lengths
21	Blaine K A Ryan	J Fanning 9st 0lbs	33 - 1 1 1/4 length
22	Polski Max R A Fahey	George Chaloner 8st 10lbs	66 - 1 Neck
23	Mac's Power W J Musson	William Buick 8st 9lbs	40 - 1 1/2 length
24	Whozthecat D Carroll	Luke Leadbitter 9st 1lbs	33 - 1 Head
25	Face The Problem J A Osborne	J Doyle 9st 1lbs	25 - 1 1 1/4 length
26	Pabusar J A Osborne	M Dwyer 8st 9lbs	33 - 1 3/4 length
27	Tiddliwinks K A Ryan	B Hughes 9st 7lbs	50 - 1 3 1/2 lengths
NonRunner	Harrison George P J O'Gorman	Rosie Jessop 8st 9lbs	-

ONE-HORSE YARD TAKES SECOND PLACE IN FAMOUS HANDICAP

Ted Powell’s Reigate yard may only house one racehorse, but it did him proud in today’s Robins Farm Racing Stewards’ Cup at Glorious Goodwood.

The Powell-trained Ajjaadd finished second to Rex Imperator, going down by two and a quarter lengths, but finishing half a length ahead of third-placed Burwaaz, trained by Ed Dunlop. Ajjaadd collected just over £16,000 in prize money, yet he cost owners Katy and Lol Pratt just £2,400 at Doncaster when sold by his breeders, Darley, in 2009. He has won nine races since.

Powell, whose horse was up with the pace under jockey William Twiston-Davies, said: “It was a pity the others weren’t fast enough to give us a lead. He’s so fast and I would have loved to have waited until the final furlong to make a challenge. He went too soon last time.”

Powell formerly worked with ex-trainer Jack O’Donoghue, who saddled Hello Mister to win the Portland Handicap in 1994 and 1995 as well as Nickel Coin, the last mare to win the Grand National back in 1951.

The Portland is now in Powell’s mind for Ajjaadd, for he said: “My plan is to win the Portland Handicap at Doncaster, but I’ll have to walk because it’s a long way to drive from my place!”

Twiston-Davies said: “He’s a different horse this year he’s improved so much. He won at Epsom and won well and the last time out he just wasn’t himself and sweated up – he needs a fast pace to run at and he didn’t get that today so I had to make the early running. The winner tracked me and when he went past my horse responded, but wasn’t quite good enough.”