Briyouni Makes It A weekend To Remember
There’s that saying about London buses. Well that certainly fits for owners Matt and Lauren Morgan as just 24 hours after Broken Stones debut win, Briyouni won comfortably at Nottingham, shedding his maiden tag too.
If anyone had said to Kevin last year that Briyouni would still be a maiden 12 months on, he would have laughed at them. The son of Siyouni was bought from the Arqanna breeze ups and looked a lovely prospect, showing plenty of ability at home. Unfortunately he never managed to get his head in front but showed promise in all three starts at 2 years old. After his third start it was clear that he was just weak and not quite the finished article, so the best was yet to come.
Over the winter the now 3 year old was gelded an this really helped Briyouni mature. He came back to Hambleton a bigger and stronger horse. His work pre-season had been very good and Kevin was really looking forward to getting Briyouni back on the track. Unfortunately the ground early in the season scuppered any chance of a run with Kevin preferring to wait for better ground. With everyone being very patient it was time to get him back out on the track and Nottingham was the destination chosen, for the 1 mile Merlin Inflatables UK Handicap.
Joe Doyle has been catching many people’s eye recently and he was in the saddle, taking off 3lb from the allotted 9st4lb. Briyouni was running off a mark of 69 and Kevin felt confident he could finally get his head in front. It was a competitive race for the grade but there was a feeling that Briyouni brought some decent form and had the most scope for improvement.
As the stalls opened there was a mad dash for the lead and with so many going forward it was a strong pace from the outset. Joe wanted to be positive too and squeezed Briyouni forward to sit around 5th or 6th. The pace was strong because the leader was getting no leeway with a couple of others around, forcing the issue. Briyouni was quickly into his stride and travelled well early on.
Although the handicap was run over 1 mile the pace was like that of a 6f race. This did begin to ease after the first couple of furlongs and the field filtered into their positions. Joe had Briyouni nicely positioned, tracking the leaders and ready to pounce if or when he could. The ground was officially good and this looked to suit Briyouni who move fluently through the race.
Due to the strong early gallop the field were well stretched and the leaders were soon moving into the home bend. Joe had his mount on a nice long rein with the 3 year old easily moving through the first half of the race. Nottingham has a nice long straight but the leaders injected some more pace as they rounded the bend, looking to kick clear. Briyouni easily matched this move with no movement needed from Joe.
The field soon straightened up for home with 3 1/2f left to run. Despite being a long way from home, it was already obvious that many of the field were beaten. Briyouni travelled very strongly and loomed up on the near side of the leaders. He was cantering in the hands of Joe and nudged ahead with consummate ease. Now Joe had a choice to make, don’t move and risk disappointing the horse or kick for home and risk going to early. He chose the latter and kicked for home 3f out. Immediately Briyouni stormed clear, stretching to a couple of lengths lead. The rest of the field were struggling and it now looked Briyouni’s race to lose.
The final couple of furlongs looked to hold no dangers. Briyouni had quickened up to a 3 length lead and there was nothing closing the gap. It was all hands and heels from Joe and he even allowed himself a quick look round at the 1f marker. He must have liked what he saw and he continued to nudge Briyouni forward. He had now been out on his own for a couple of furlongs and all of a sudden the ears pricked. Briyouni decided he had done enough and the race was won so it was time to ease down. Fortunately he had done enough but the gap suddenly closed to just 3/4 length. Joe tried hard to keep him up to his work but Briyouni had made his mind up. The winning margin did not do the horse justice but it was a win, one that seemed long overdue.
All Smiles After Briyouni’s First Career Win
That win completed a great weekend for Matt and Lauren Morgan following Broken Stones impressive debut at York. Briyouni looked well handicapped and that looked to be true with a comfortable win. The winning margin should have been greater but the main thing is that it was a win. Briyouni was very impressive for 95% of the race and he looks like a horse to keep on your side. Obviously the handicapper will have his say now but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Kevin turn him out again quickly. Briyouni has a lot more to come and looks like connections could have plenty to look forward to.