A round-up of Nottingham action on Wednesday as King Of Steel made a strong start to their career under Adam Kirby.
The powers of steel to victory for the first time
Amo Racing sparked an exciting prospect in Nottingham when king of steel clinched the British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes Division Two.
This contest was won by St Leger hero Eldar Eldarov 12 months ago – and with the youngster trained by David Loughnane, who cost $200,000 as a yearling, holds a Derby entry, he could be another with classic aspirations in 2023.
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Given plenty of early daylight by Adam Kirby, it was home turn when the son of Wootton Bassett showed his quality for the first time, grabbing the bit to join Andrea Atzeni-ridden in the trenches at the forward in a matter of strides.
The lucky 11/2 was quickly called into gear and extended down the straight to win by the best part of five lengths.
“He didn’t do anything wrong there – he has to be one of the biggest two-year-olds I’ve ever ridden,” Kirby said.
“He traveled very well and layed down well on the straight. It didn’t help that Andrea’s horse tried to wear himself out on the corner, I had to do two runs to keep him, but hopefully he should be a lot of fun for connections, he could definitely go a bit further in time, he has the right attitude for the game and he is exciting.
Emily Scott, Race Manager for the Owners, added: “You can see why we’ve been waiting because he’s huge.
“We never rushed him at any time, we just kept nurturing him and letting him grow. From the moment I saw him in the parade ring until he took off the saddle he did everything like a complete pro and with a big horse you want them to behave well – he would difficult if he didn’t.
“We never asked him too many questions at home. David said they barely took him off the bridle at home because he’s so big and gallops over everything and that’s where we’d find out how useful he was. I was worried it would turn green at the bridle, but it didn’t, and it layed down just fine. He did it like a real honest and genuine horse. The farther the better and it’s a really exciting horse.
King Of Steel holds a stake in the Vertem Futurity Trophy at Doncaster, but Scott believes everything he’s done this year is a bonus ahead of his three-year season.
During a race at Town Moor on Saturday week, she continued: “I think it will be something we will discuss as a team once the dust settles. You never say never, but I think it’s a horse for next year no matter what.
Rest of the action…
In the first division Ralph Beckett’s artistic star caused a bit of a surprise on his 16/1 debut.
Owned by Jeff Smith, Galileo’s son has always been front and center and has shown a great attitude to stand up to Like A Tiger.
“It was a good start, he had done a lot at home to suggest he should go see it all,” said winning runner Rob Hornby.
“Obviously he has a fine pedigree and it’s good to have another fine horse for Mr Smith. He did his business very well there, although he was still quite green, but he managed to overcome that and he probably did it with his raw abilities.
“He’s a really exciting horse and you have to look forward to next year.”
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Smith’s race director David Bowe added: “He’s got a late birthday, so we took some time with him, and Ralph just spun him around and made it for today.
“I think a mile will be the minimum for his trip, a mile and a half will be enough for him in time, but we’ll take one race at a time and see what happens.
“I think Ralph always liked him, it was just a case of waiting for him. He did a great job last week which impressed Ralph, and I think that’s why we came here today.
“I would say that’s probably it. We’ll talk to Ralph and Ralph will make the decisions, but he got off to a winning start and we might just wrap it up for next year.
At Freddie and Martyn Meade Ashtanga built on a promising start when third to two smart colts at Salisbury to win the EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes. The 2/1 favorite is now likely done for the year and should return in the next term when a Classic Trial is on the cards.
“She’s a very nice filly who didn’t do anything today and Andrea was very positive about her,” said co-trainer Freddie Meade.
“We were sniffling and crying, she’s still a frame and we thought we’d put her aside. But she bounced back out of Salisbury, and we thought we could win her before the winter.
“She did it very well and we will be looking for an Oaks trial early next year.
“I hope we have a very good horse to play with next year.”
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