Distant Past Going Places

When he arrived as a yearling he looked more like a 3 year old and Distant Past is finally flourishing into the horse he always promised to be. With 3 wins from 4 runs this season he has certainly come of age and he now looks like a sprinter who take the next step up to the big Saturday handicaps.

This years reappearance victory at Musselburgh set the ball rolling and it was back to the Scottish track for a convincing win in the 5f Apprentice handicap. The career high mark couldn’t stop the improvement as he proved to be a class above his rivals. It was that man again, Shane Gray who did the steering and improved his record on the 4 year old to 2 wins from 3 rides.

Breaking from the gates the ultra speedy Royal Bajan set off like a scalded cat and looked to be more out of control than on the bridle. This ridiculous pace could have upset the race with young jockeys all taking centre stage but it was the confident Gray who dictated. Distant Past sat on the front end of the group of runners happily letting the free going leader burn himself out. Shane had his mount travelling beautifully as they sped down the scottish turf and with the sharp track they were soon blitzing past halfway. Royal Bajan was soon ridden along and all could see it was only a matter of time before the field swallowed him up. This was all playing into Shane’s hands and he sat and waited for the rest to make their move, knowing he was on the best horse in the race. The rest of the apprentices were very animated, pushing and scrubbing along whilst Shane sat and waited. Distant Past was still hard on the bridle passing the 2f pole and as the 1f marker loomed they flew past the receding Royal Bajan. Shane got a little lower and at the 1f pole it was time to push the button. Once asked Ditant Past quickened up and that was that, the race was over. Pushed out to the line, Distant Past recorded his third victory of the season with a convincing 1 3/4 length win.

Owners Mike and Lyndsey Wynne have waited for a season like this and they are finally being rewarded, and it is very much deserved. Kevin has always felt Distant Past was a very good sprinter waiting to happen and that faith is beginning to bare fruit. Winning off a career high 85 the handicapper is certain to try to stop him again but in this form it is going to be very hard. The Scottish sprint over 5f back at Musselburgh is the obvious choice now and although it is a step up in class Distant Past has to be feared as the new boy on the block.