The Flame Burns Bright!
Fri 23 Apr 2021
OUR 22nd WINNER OF 2021: VENTURA FLAME, trained by Keith Dalgleish and ridden by Callum Rodriguez: 'The Beverley Annual Badgeholders Handicap' over 5f at Beverley.
A 4th career win for the daughter, of one of our favourite stallions, Dandy Man. Her draw wasn't ideal and she was forced to race wide, ending up at the rear of the field early on. But Callum sat patiently and as they came around the bend, he started to push her along, with still plenty to do 2f from home. But she ran on well, as the commentator said "Ventura Flame is just starting to get going fast and late at the furlong pole" and in a four way photo, she prevailed!
Callum said in his post race interview: "She had to do it the hard way and come around them, but she was tough and once she met the rising ground, she was really good!"
Watch the full replay here: https://www.racingtv.com/videos/watch/horse_racing_replays/325969-beverley-annual-badgeholders-handicap-5
See the official photos here: https://www.hannahaliphotography.co.uk/r3-220421
Timeform awarded her a career best rating of 80+ and say: "Bounced back to form with her yard in good nick, doing well given how wide on the track she made her ground; held up, headway out very wide from 2f out, stayed on to lead line."
Syndicate manager Mike says:"Well done to her owners on her win! The race pretty much panned out how we thought it would, with Dapper Man on the front end and her not being able to go with the pace early. She loves courses with a stiff finish and as the leaders came back to her, she did very well to get up given how wide she had to go around the dog leg in the track. A lovely ride from Callum who got her rolling just at the right time! She’s got options at tracks with stiff finishes and they will be next on the agenda."
With 8 days of the month still to go, we are very pleased to have already had 10 winners in April., with some good chances coming up on Friday and Saturday - can we add to the total?!