report from Andrew King
Jockey-find-of-the-season Lucas Murphy and trainer Chris Barber took the plaudits with a double apiece in front of a big crowd at Maisemore's ever popular annual meeting last Sunday (March 29).
Teenager Murphy, the son of former prolific jumps rider Timmy, opened his account for the afternoon with a smooth four-lengths success over 8/11 favourite Tara Storm aboard We'llgowats in the Conditions contest.
We'llgowats
And just for good measure the 11-year-old mare was trained by Murphy senior, who said: "She is the only horse I have in training at the minute so we had nothing to make any comparisons with when she was working at home
"She probably needed the run when pulled up at Larkhill in soft conditions last time and this better ground has definitely helped her cause. I would like to think she can win another race or two on Spring ground and she will be out again shortly."
Whereas 16-year-old Murphy pounced late on We'llgowats, the youngster showed he is a decent judge of pace from the front when delivering Midem De Berce with an all-the-way romp to take the Young Horse Maiden at the expense of favourite Kapella Grey.
Midem De Berce
From flagfall, Murphy soon dashed his mount to the head of affairs and it proved a one horse show from halfway as he poached an unassailable lead before staying on stoutly in the closing stages for a seven-lengths verdict.
George made no secret of the fact that the ex-French four-year-old was at the course to advertise his wares, saying: "He is for sale, that is the top and bottom of it - on paper it looked a very strong field so he had to prove himself
"I knew he was well above average by his work at home but you just want to see them prove themselves on the race track and he has certainly done just that - he was impressive and I think there's more to come."
Barber has settled into his new yard deep in the heart of Herefordshire and the winners keep rolling after Carrillo easily landed the Restricted contest when brushing aside old rival Dollanstown for a two lengths call.
Carrillo
The trainer reported of the winner: "He is a really nice horse who is growing in confidence all the time as he has beaten the runner-up again on worse terms than when they last met
"I could not be more pleased for his owners Nick and Alison Hitchings as they had the foresight to buy him a while back and he is now rewarding them in spades."
Jack Black, a recent purchase out of Dan Skelton's yard, brought up the Barber brace when posting a silky smooth success in the Six-Years-Old And Over Maiden over long-time pacesetter Guseakie.
Jack Black
Barber commented: "Obviously the decent Spring ground suits the horse and we will pick and choose our races with him in the coming weeks. Hopefully he has good future ahead of him in this sphere."
It proved to be a red-letter-day for 16-year-old Katherine Sprake as she took a day off from studying for upcoming exams to ride her debut victory on her first mount in public after Whydah Gally narrowly outpointed Illico De Cotte by a short head for the Novice Riders contest.
Whydah Gally
Being the sister of former jockey Charlie Sprake, the winning rider has been well schooled ahead of this initial victory and she said: "I can't really believe it and it hasn't really sunk in yet
"I am still at school and keeping busy ahead of my exams which are coming up but work part-time for Joe Tizzard at weekends. In the race itself I thought we were beaten at the final fence but luckily my horse has rallied gamely on the run to the line."
Bateleur (far side)
The concluding Flat Race was divided and racegoers who noted that Gina Andrews had made the trek to Gloucester for just the one ride were rewarded with a 2-1 winner when Bateleur showed great battling qualities to take division one by a head from Fleming's Peak
Handsome Stan
Handsome Stan proved the answer to the second leg of the race as he stretched five-and-a-half lengths away from Ware Road in the hands of Lucy Mager.
Quote Of The Day
"People keep asking me the question when is Gina going to retire from riding? Well, she is operating at a strike rate of around 52 per-cent at present so I would guess the answer might be no time soon." Tom Ellis, husband of champion lady rider Gina Andrews
Photographer: Graham Fisher
