Kool result for Henry team
Tuesday 25 September 2012
Connections of Kool Henry were delighted Beverley managed to overcome weather-related traffic problems as the gelding landed the feature race of the day.
The action in East Yorkshire briefly looked in doubt as flooding on the A1 meant none of the jockeys' valets made it to the track, leaving the riders without their regular kit. However, clerk of the course Sally Iggulden rallied the troops and managed to gather enough equipment to let racing go ahead.
She said: "It soon became obvious the valets weren't going to get here, which meant that all the jockeys' kit was stuck on the A1 in various locations. Even if we delayed racing by another hour, there was no chance the three valets would have got here in time. I don't know how we've managed to get the meeting on, but all the jockeys have really pulled together and rallied around and managed to get enough kit together."
Current champion jockey Paul Hanagan said: "I've never seen anything like this before - it's very unusual. Fair dos to the lads, though, everyone's chipped in with all sorts of gear so we've just about got away with it."
Owners Middleham Park Racing were the major beneficiaries of Beverley and the riders' efforts as Kool Henry relished the testing ground in the Eddie And Violet Smith Conditions Stakes.
With just one win to his credit last June, Kool Henry was sent off a 14-1 chance but 7lb-claimer David Bergin was keen to make full use of his mount. The David O'Meara-trained runner matched strides with Es Que Love early on before that one faded away as Kool Henry kicked on. Sporting a first-time visor, Kool Henry asserted a furlong out to hold the challenge of Tax Free by a length and a quarter.
Es Que Love, the 7-4 favourite, eventually finished last of the six runners.
Tom Palin, representing the winning owners, said: "That was a very nice surprise, but he's done it well. The ground was too quick for him on Shergar Cup day and it was the same scenario at York last time. This rain has come at the right time for him and David (Bergin) is good value for his 7lb. We've no concrete plans for him but we'll sit down with David (O'Meara) and work out a plan."
Amy Ryan closed to within one winner of Darren Egan in the apprentice title race as Palladius (6-1) did the business in the Thanks For Your Support In 2012 Maiden Auction Stakes. Trained by the rider's father, Kevin, Palladius took it up inside the final furlong to win by a length and a half from Free Island.
Mark Birch, representing the winning trainer, said: "She deserved that as she was very unlucky the last time she ran here. She didn't settle at all at Kempton last time but has stayed on the right path this time and enjoyed this weather."
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