A Stylish Hat-Trick For Canny And Stott

When fillies thrive they can really improve and that has been the case with Canny Style in recent weeks who racked up a hat-trick of wins by taking the 1m4f Eastlothian.org Handicap at Musselburgh. With her stamina now being tested she has hit winning form in impressive fashion and now looks like a progressive middle distance prospect. 

Canny Style shed her maiden tag off a mark of 52 at her 16th attempt but despite the wait she won like there was still improvement to come. Having travelled supremely well at Carlisle the 3 year old then stayed every yard of the trip and won comfortably. It was a performance that said Kevin had found the key to her and she may just have a few pound in hand moving forward. 

Hamilton was going to answer a few questions when Canny Style lined up aiming to back up her maiden win. It was a very similar race in terms of grade but the biggest question was whether she was a one time wonder or not. Any worries were quickly dispelled as Canny cruised through the race before again seeing out the trip strongly and winning with a bit up her sleeve once more. Now she had backed her win up, it became obvious that there was still more to come. 

There would be 3 weeks before Style would race again when she returned to Scotland to run in the 1m4f event at Musselburgh. With a 9lb rise in the weights and two wins in the bag, Canny was now no longer the unknown but the one to beat. Kevin Stott had enjoyed both wins on the filly and the partnership was not to be broken as he got the leg up again. 

Only 6 runners lined up for the 0-65 handicap and there was a worry that it may lead to a muddling sort of race. As the gates opened it was soon evident that there would be no issue with pace. Amy Blair jumped well but then ran very keen in front, setting a furious gallop and taking the rest of the field along. Kevin immediately judged the pace and anchored Canny at the back of the field, sitting against the rail. Despite being sat last, Style was only a few lengths off the favourite who was sat second whilst Amy Blair ran free on his own in front. 

The field quickly hit the first bend and as they did a couple of the runners failed to handle the sharp turn. Without being forced to Canny Style nipped up their inside and in a matter of strides she had moved from last to third. Kevin was now sat a lot closer and tracked the lead, just a length off the favourite Kelvin Hall. The pace failed to cease and they went a good clip through the early stages. 

It was in the back straight when Amy Blair’s jockey finally got him to settle and this caused the field to bunch up. The order failed to change but with well over half the race left to run the well fancied Meddlesome was coming under pressure. Kevin had a perfect perch and let his filly run on a nice loose rein. Although the pace had slowed slightly it still meant there was a true gallop and Canny travelled well tracking the leader. 

Coming into the final bend there was little to separate the entire field as the leader began to come back to them under pressure. Canny was stalking in third and looked to be full of running. As the straightened up for home her rivals cam under the pump one by one. The favourite Kelvin Hall, who had sat second all the way, now took the lead as the long time leader capitulated. Kevin followed this move and the pair just began to move away from the rest. Both horses were travelling well and it now looked like a match between the two. There was still 3f left to run and it was really going to be a good tussle for the race win. 

Canny Style’s two wins had come over a furlong shorter and although she saw that trip out well, the extra furlong was no guarantee. Kevin still oozed confidence and just got his filly to lengthen as they moved into the final 2f. Kelvin Hall was going to be a tough nut to crack and travelled just as well but his jockey, Joe Fanning, decided he need to get into his drive first. The favourite now went forward again but so to did Canny Style, her move was with a lot more ease. Now the pair were upsides but Canny was travelling the better and just edged her head in front, seemingly with plenty left in the tank. 

When Canny Style passed the furlong marker she did so with a neck lead which was quickly extended. Kevin decided to kick for home and as he began to get serious with his mount, she responded by kicking into a good length advantage. It did look as though the race was over but Kelvin Hall was very game. Although Canny had plenty left in the tank, her rival continued to work hard and was not going down without a fight. Deep inside the final furlong and the favourite rallied again. The length lead now started to close slightly. Both horses were giving it everything and although the favourite was fighting hard, Canny Style was staying on strongly in front. Seeing out every yard of the trip, Canny Style strode out into a half length victory and secured the hat-trick.

With the new test of stamina Canny Style has really come to life in her last few runs. Not only is she seeing the trip out well but she travels so well throughout her races which makes the jockey’s job so much easier. The handicapper will have another look now but this is probably her last run of the season. Canny Style has given all her connections at Hambleton racing plenty to cheer about and she could be a very interesting prospect when she returns next season. For now Canny deserves a nice winter break whilst her owners reflect on a great hat-trick of wins.