Shield is a Marvel
Fri 05 May 2023
WINNER 33 OF 2023: STAR SHIELD, trained by David O'Meara and ridden by Jason Watson: 'The Western House Hotel Award Winning Weddings Handicap' over 1m at Ayr.
A late withdrawl, made this a 4 runner race - these can always be tricky when tactics come into play. Jason was able to keep him close up in 4th and let them take him along. Coming into the straight the leader went for home, but as Jason gave him the push along, he made good headway to chase the leader approaching the final furlong. Moving into second over 1f out, he was ridden to take the lead inside the final furlong and was pushed out, under hands and heels, to win comfortably by 1 and a 1/4 lengths.
"Star Shield comes home to land it." Watch the full race replay here: https://www.racingtv.com/videos/watch/horse_racing_replays/441705-western-house-hotel-award-winning-weddings-handicap-5
Timeform rated it as an 84+ performance, saying: "Was 1 lb lower than when scoring at C&D last July and, even in a race not run to suit, was able to confirm recent promise with something to spare; held up, headway over 1f out, produced to lead final 100 yds, won readily, hands-and-heels ride.”
Jason said in his Racing TV interview: "He only really has one way of being ridden. He travels into his races really well and I didn't want to get there too soon, but we got a nice lead and it worked out well. He's a good horse.”
Syndicate manager Mike says: "That was deserved - both for Star Shield and his owners! He has been running some good races this year, with things just going against him, but yesterday everything went right and the way he pricked his ears as he crossed the line, it looked like he was just as pleased as us!” His second course and distance win at Ayr and a 7th win in our silks. He is a grand horse and thanks to David for keeping him sweet. Congratulations to his owners - lovely to see them clap him back into the winners enclosure at Ayr."
Perfect timing, as yesterday we purchased a breeze up horse to go to David, from the Tattersalls Guineas Breeze Up Sale! See his details, here: https://www.middlehamparkracing.net/horses/view,invincible-army-ex-princess-savoie-colt_1508.htm