A review of the pick of the action from York on Saturday afternoon, featuring the Coral Sprint Trophy.
Strike Red regains Sprint Trophy
Strike Red has been touted as a potential Group horse after landing the Coral Sprint Trophy for the second time in three years at York.
The six-year-old, trained by Richard Fahey, won this race in 2022 when claiming a three-quarter length success over Hyperfocus under the hands of Billy Garritty.
That jockey was reunited with the son of Dark Angel in his favourable soft-ground conditions over six furlongs at the Knavesmire.
Garritty ensured his mount was prominent in the 21-runner field and positioned himself behind early front-runners Germanic and Sergeant Wilko on the inside rail.
He made his move just after the two-furlong marker and immediately stretched clear of his rivals.
The fast-finishing Room Service, who went off as the 11/2 favourite, closed the gap to three-quarters of a length, but Strike Red reclaimed his title at a price of 6/1.
Garritty has now ridden the last four of Strike Red’s eight career victories and he believes the bay gelding is capable of stepping up in class.
“He’s been magnificent for me and the yard,” Garritty said. “All credit to the governor (Fahey) and Robin (O’Ryan, assistant trainer), because he had a bad injury last year, an injury that really wasn’t seen on any Flat horses, more so jumpers – and this year, he’s been better than ever.
“Things haven’t worked out for him in a few races, but he was brought out easily enough and won easily.
“The way he moves through a race, I always tell the governor, he’s probably a Group horse. There he put it to bed pretty easily and there were top-end handicappers there and he found it quite easy.
“Based on that form, it’s something to look forward to. It was smooth, but when you are on the best horse, it is always smooth.”
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Jonny Bairstow bowled over by Jungle Drums bravery
Jungle Drums held his nerve and dug deep to make all and land the Coral Rockingham Stakes at York for Karl Burke.
The Bungle Inthejungle colt had never raced on softer than good in his four starts before arriving at the Knavesmire for the opening Listed contest.
Sam James looked comfortable at the halfway mark, as Jungle Drums nudged ahead of Hugo Palmer’s It Ain’t Two.
The 20/1 shot battled gamely to keep his nose in front before ultimately stretching his lead, as he secured the third and biggest victory of his career by one and three-quarter lengths.
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England cricketer Jonny Bairstow is a part of the juvenile’s owning syndicate Bronte Collection and was in attendance for the triumph.
He said: “What a load of heart, you could see the ground and everything like that. To do it like that, from that far out and to hold everything else off, is a great effort.
“It’s a good sport, I’ve grown up in York. I’m just on a day out with the family and some really close friends and it is even better that we have a couple of runners.
“I’ve been coming here since I was 16, maybe even younger, to be quite honest with you. It is always a great day out, come rain or shine people have a good time.”
Bolster bags Burke double
It was a quick double for Burke as Bolster produced a gutsy performance to win the Coral “Daily Rewards Shaker” Handicap.
Despite carrying top weight under Pierre-Louis Jamin, the 7/1 shot hit the front with two furlongs remaining before crossing the line three-quarters of a length clear of Stressfree.
“It’s just the ground, that’s what is key for him,” assistant trainer James Cowley said. “He’s pounds ahead of himself on soft ground, even heavy ground, it makes a massive difference for him.”
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Almeric held off Ride The Thunder in the Coral Racing Club EBF Maiden Stakes to ensure Andrew Balding clinched the Charles Clinkard Top Trainer Trophy at the Knavesmire.
The two-year-old had a great battle with Roger Varian’s 11/8 favourite, but a quick turn of foot in the closing stages under the hands of PJ McDonald sealed a one-length victory at a price of 2/1.
That result moved Balding to 10 winners on the Knavesmire over the 2024 campaign, finishing clear of Ralph Beckett, David O’Meara and Kevin Ryan.
McDonald said: “He’s a horse going the right way. He handled that ground well, but I do think he will be better on better ground.
“He’s a lovely moving horse, so I’d be excited by him. With his pedigree, he should be a smart three-year-old.”
Fearless Freddy, who went off at 4/1, left it late to power home to victory in the Play Coral “Racing-Super-Series” For Free Nursery Stakes by one and a half lengths.
“The horse has got me out of a big hole there,” jockey Lewis Edmunds admitted. “I couldn’t get out and I thought I was going to be a very unlucky loser.”
Gibside came to the fore in the driving rain during the Coral “We’re Here For It” Stayers Handicap to win by five lengths for Tim Easterby at a price of 11/1.
Two Brothers, a 25/1 shot, led a one-two for Michael and David Easterby in the Coral “Committed To Safer Gambling” Finale Handicap, beating 7/1 stablemate Yorkshire Lady by half a length.
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