A Friday Double!
Sat 01 Apr 2023
WINNER 16 OF 2023: AIRSHOW, trained by Rod Millman and ridden by Ben Curtis: 'The Spreadex Sports In-Play Racing Betting Handicap' over 7f at Southwell.
He has been running over 5 and 6f most recently, but had tried 7 furlongs as far back as November 2020 and so this was an experiment, back at that trip..
He usually breaks well and did so today, switching to the near side rail and bowling along in front. Pushed along inside the final 2f, he kept on well and nothing could get to him, winning unchallenged and always doing enough, by 3/4 of a length.
He picked up a tidy £5,757 first prize for his amazing 11th career win - 10 of those from Rod Millman, just superb!
"Airshow is going to take them every step of the way!" Watch the full race replay here: https://www.attheraces.com/racecard/Southwell/31-March-2023/1405
Timeform rated it as a t81 performance, saying: "Without the cheekpieces this time, was having a rare outing at this trip but saw it out well to capitalise on a tumbling mark; made all, pushed along 2f out, hung right 1f out, kept on.”
Ben said in his Sky Sports Racing interview: "I have ridden him before and it is nice to get back on him. He has won from the front before and does like to be prominent. The hood got him relaxed and I was able to fill him up coming around the bend. He saw the trip out well.”
WINNER 17 OF 2023: MISS HARMONY, trained by Michael Bell and ridden by Joe Bradnam (-7): 'The talkSPORT Download The App Fillies' Handicap' over 1m 2f at Lingfield.
This was her 3rd start for us, after we took a stake in her 10,000gns purchase, at the Tattersalls February HIT Sale.
The field was reduced to 4 runners and Joe settled her into third as they settled down. He asked her to put in an effort 2f out and it looked as though the front two would be hard to catch, but he switched her to the outer and she kept on strongly; went 2nd inside the final furlong and stretched out nicely, to win by 1/2 a length.
"Miss Harmony, down the outside, will win!" Watch the full race replay here: https://www.attheraces.com/racecard/Lingfield/31-March-2023/1535
Timeform rated it as a p69 performance, saying: "Was friendless in the betting and didn't need to improve to record a first success in handicap company; waited with, driven home turn, progress over 1f out, challenged last ½f, edged ahead close home.”
Joe said in his Sky Sports Racing interview with Jason Weaver: "She made my job pretty straightforward! She's been knocking on the door, so its good that she has won this one. We got a nice lead and it was good the way she picked up; she's done it a shade cosily.”
She and Joe made the Racing Post headlines too: https://www.racingpost.com/news/reports/its-a-nice-way-to-start-the-season-apprentice-joe-bradnam-steers-miss-harmony-to-surprise-victory-aevoA0u1XI0b/
Syndicate manager of both horses, Tim says: "It's always a thrill to get a winner, but two on the same day is special. I thought both jockeys gave two well judged rides in two very different races. Ben got it right on the front and Joe waited, swerved and then made his move. Some nice prize money won - especially for Miss Harmony, picking up £6,280. Well done to both sets of connections!”