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Nayef Joel Stakes 2011 |
Ransome Note Wins Nayef Joel Stakes From the Front
23/09/11
1 Ransom Note 4/1
2 Premio Loco 13/2
3 Poet's Voice 5/1
7 ran Distances: 2¼l, 1l, 4l
TIME 1m 34.68s (fast by 0.82s)
Ransom Note landed some decent bets as he showed his six rivals a clean pair of heels to make all in the Group Two Nayef Joel Stakes and provide Charlie Hills with a first Group win.
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The win was a second of the year on the Rowley Mile for the colt after he landed the Earl Of Sefton Stakes in April.
The trainer said: “He won here early in the year, has been to France and ran at Royal Ascot, all in top company, so we gave him a break and freshened him up to come here.
“We thought a break would do him good ahead of an autumn and winter campaign.
“He is in the Champion Stakes and could run there as he gets the trip well.
“The plan was always to take him to Dubai in the new year and we can look at Hong Kong as well.
“There are plenty of nice races with good prize money to look at but we will do what is best for the horse.”
Michael Hills added: “We have always thought there were big races in him.
“He is a lovely horse but went missing in the middle part of the season but he is back now and has shown today what he is capable of.
“He picked up and picked up and stayed on all the way to the line. I knew it would take a good one to catch him.”
The Nayef Joel Stakes forms part of the QIPCO British Champions Series.
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Position |
Horse Trainer |
Jockey Weight |
Starting Price Beaten Distance |
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1 |
Ransom Note C Hills |
M Hills 9st 3lbs |
4 - 1 Winner |
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2 |
Premio Loco C F Wall |
G Baker 9st 3lbs |
13 - 2 2 1/4 lengths |
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3 |
Poet's Voice S bin Suroor |
L Dettori 9st 3lbs |
5 - 1 1 length |
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4 |
Tazahum Sir Michael Stoute |
R Hills 8st 13lbs |
5 - 2 4 lengths |
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5 |
Emerald Commander S bin Suroor |
William Buick 9st 3lbs |
6 - 1 3/4 length |
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6 |
Karam Albaari J R Jenkins |
K Fallon 8st 13lbs |
33 - 1 2 3/4 lengths |
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7 |
Libranno R Hannon |
R Hughes 8st 13lbs |
11 - 2 10 lengths |
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Premio Loco was unable to add victory in the Group Two Nayef Joel Stakes over the Rowley Mile to his recent triumph in Doncaster’s Park Stakes but lost nothing in defeat with a typically gallant effort.
The Chris Wall-trained seven-year-old has been a Pattern race stalwart in recent seasons and once again showed his relish for fast underfoot conditions. George Baker’s mount, sent off a 13/2 shot, quickened well from off the pace to finish two and a quarter lengths runner-up behind the victorious Ransom Note (4/1), who made all under an inspired Michael Hills ride.
Wall said of his stable star: “He has run a cracking race again and there is no cast lost in defeat. I think we would have had to have sprouted wings to catch the winner today. They went a good gallop and Michael (Hills) rode a good race on the winner. Our boy was just off the bridle and lost a length or two, which is ground you have to make up at the end.
“I think if we run him again we might run him in the Darley Stakes (on October 8) back here. That is a mile and one furlong and I would be tempted to have a look at the conditions of that race. On the evidence of today, you would think he might go further.
“But if it starts to rain and the ground comes up soft, that would be his season over.”
Poet’s Voice peaked last autumn with a Group One success in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot which, like the Nayef Joel Stakes, is part of the QIPCO British Champions Series.
The Godolphin four-year-old, who could be heading back to Ascot on October 15 for QIPCO British Champions Day, ran his best race for some time as he crossed the line a further length back in third under Frankie Dettori.
Trainer Saeed bin Suroor commented: “He ran well, better than last time. The ground did not suit him today and with a bit of moisture in the ground he would have run better still.
“We will keep our options open regarding Ascot.”
