Double Continues Final Flourish Of Winners
The 2016 season is winding up and will be all over in just a couple of weeks but there are still meetings and winners to be had. It has been a very good year for Kevin and the horses are still in good form, rounding off the season with plenty of winners. Redcar has been a profitable track this season and there were two more horses to add to the wins column when Dusty Bin and Torremar both ran away with their respective races, in turn gaining their first career victories.
Dusty Bin is a typical slow burning 2 year old who took advantage of a lenient handicap mark. Despite being by Sepoy, a sire full of speed, Dusty bin has taken a little longer to find his feet and it wasn’t until the back end of the season that he began to show what he was capable of.
Starting his career off over 5f, Dusty Bin raced in two maidens at Beverley then Pontefract. Both runs showed that he needed a little bit more time to strengthen and a little bit more experience if he was to ever threaten the judge. Having been outpaced over the minimum trip, Kevin felt that a step up to 6f may help the 2 year old and his next start was a return to Pontefract. There was a lot more promise shown from Dusty as he pinged the gates and got into his stride quickly. It was a fast paced affair and he showed plenty of early dash to lay up with the leaders. Having shown up for a long way he just weakened in the final 1 1/2f as the ground takes a rise and really tests the stamina reserves. It was a very pleasing run and showed that Dusty Bin may be effective with a drop back down to 5f. Now it would be determined by the handicapper as to where he would go next as he qualified for his mark.
Everybody knew that the opening mark couldn’t be too severe but when Dusty Bin received 52 it was a surprise. The form didn’t look anything special so it was probably a fair assessment but Kevin felt he was well capable of winning off that mark. When he saw the 5f 0-65 Nursery at Redcar he immediately made a note and aimed Dusty for it.
Kevin Stott had been in the saddle last time out when he got a better tune from Dusty Bin and was booked again to try and go better. Redcar is a quick track so although Dusty had shown speed last time, he would need to replicate or improve on that this time around. Again he broke well and quickly got up to speed, tracking the early leaders. The pace was strong and the 10 strong field were soon flying down the track. There was little to separate the runners and Dusty had a nice sit on the leaders tails, tracking the pace.
This time of year always sees weather change which affects the ground, usually making most races quite testing on softer conditions. Sepoy had been a champion in Australia and with this being his first season siring in Europe most people felt his progeny would enjoy hearing their hooves rattle. That has not been the case and they have been effective on various types of ground. Dusty Bin was bouncing over the rain softened ground and seemed to be relishing the ease. Through the first couple of furlongs Dusty Bin was showing good speed, had a nice position and enjoyed the ground, all factors that breathed confidence in connections and Kevin sat on board.
Halfway was passed and the field were soon towards the final 2f. Dusty bin travelled with ease and moved up to the leaders comfortably, pulling alongside looking very dangerous. The race heated up as his rivals began to get to work, trying to quicken up. The leaders still held sway as the runners further back struggled to make headway on the ground. All were under the pump bar Dusty Bin who travelled on the bridle. Between the 2f and 1f markers he easily went with the leader, upsides but cruising compared to his rival. Kevin had yet to do anything on board and was building up all the reserves for as long as he could.
With the final furlong to run it was quite obvious that if he quickened up in any way, Dusty bin would win. His rivals were toiling in behind as they tried to make any impact and his nearest challenger was looking one paced alongside. Kevin gave a little shake of the reins and immediately Dusty Bin took off into the lead. He sprinted clear and the race was over. The margin grew deep inside the final furlong and it gave Kevin time to look behind and have a check of his rivals. What he saw was clear daylight and allowed him to start to put the brakes on. As Dusty Bin was eased up in the final hundred yards the gap whittled down but crossing the line the pair still had an emphatic 2 3/4 lengths lead.
Dusty Bin showing plenty of speed and bounding clear in his first win
It was a very good performance from Dusty Bin and he really made a mockery of his opening handicap mark. The rain softened ground seemed to really help and he looked a much more mature juvenile when going to post. He is in the sales at Doncaster and that will be his next stop, where he should be horse that could give a lot of fun to someone. I was nice to finish on a win, especially for Kenneth and Janice Macpherson who have long been supporters of the yard, enjoying Royal Ascot success with Hototo.
Later on the card it was another career highlight but this time over quite a bit further when Torremar ran away with the 1m6f Market Jewllers Handicap. The big 3 year old has been gradually stepping up in trip all year and the longest distance he tried worked the trick when he followed his stable mate by winning impressively.
From the moment Torremar came to Hambleton Lodge Kevin said he would be a work in progress, likely to improve with time and patience. He was a giant of a juvenile and the son of Excellent Art looked like he had plenty of room to grow and fill out his frame. This is why he had a quiet campaign as a 2 year old, running just the 3 times to gain experience and it also meant he qualified for a handicap mark. Following his final start at 2, Torremar was gelded in a bid to help his growth over the winter.
When Torremar came back into training he looked more like a racehorse, leaner, stronger and more athletic. Now was time to see how he would act on the track, with Kevin keen to test his stamina. Early performances over a mile and 1m2f were very promising, mixing handicaps and maidens. It seemed as though a win was just around the corner as the 3 year old continued to run with credit, getting close but just failing to secure the win. After a few good performances, Torremar then threw in a couple of poor efforts which led Kevin to step him up in trip to 1m4f. This looked ideal but again he failed to fire and actually looked a little bit outpaced despite stepping up in trip. Looking like a galloper there was only one thing to do and that was a further stamina test.
Redcar offered the best opportunity with the 1m6f contest and Torremar lined up against 8 rivals. Tom Eaves was booked for the ride and gave the 3 year old a perfect ride. From the outset there was a very sedate pace being set and Tom sat just in behind the leaders. With plenty of time to race, the field sorted themselves out and filed in behind the leader. All the jockeys looked happy with the pace and took up their positions. Torremar was sat about fourth and the slower run race allowed him to get into stride, keeping a closer eye on the leader.
Little changed throughout the contest as the pace remained the same which meant the field could easily travel through the race. Torremar looked enthusiastic and kept his position well, travelling smoothly and keeping himself in contention. The race was always going to develop later on and it wasn’t until the final bend where the pace increased. After 1m2f of a easy gallop the leader took them into the bend and began to wind it up. The increase in tempo was easy to match and the rest of the field followed suit. This meant that still there was no change and Torremar continued to track the leader in his fourth position. As the field straightened up for home there was 3f left to run and it was really going to sap the stamina from the 9 runners.
Torremar was travelling well in the hands of Tom and now it was a case of cat and mouse between horse and jockey. One by one the field came under pressure and Torremar suddenly looked to be one of the strongest. Tom didn’t want to commit too soon but he found a little bit of trouble early in the straight. Switching right the pair avoided any problems but this meant Torremar now had daylight. Tom just wanted to cajole his mount, unsure as to whether he would stay or whether he would go through with it. Unfortunately they were travelling that well that Tom just had to go with it and he squeezed Torremar closer.
Stamina was going to be key in the final 2f as now the runners were all under pressure. Torremar had travelled to the front easily and Tom decided that now it was time to go. Despite the soft ground, the pair kicked clear and suddenly the race took a different complexion. Torremar pulled 2 lengths clear with ease and was not for stopping. If there were any stamina doubts then they were quickly dispelled as Torremar was not stopping and looked stronger the further he went. He was putting daylight between himself and his rivals and the race was over between the 2f and 1f markers. As Torremar moved into the final furlong Tom allowed himself a quick look around, feeling he was clear, and what he saw was a clear lead. This meant he could stick the brakes on and begin to ease Torremar down. The final furlong was just a victory lap and the pair won by an impressive 3 1/2 lengths eased down.
Torremar eases down to a convincing win and opens up options for next year
The margin of victory was very impressive and Torremar looks as though he could progress from this win. Stamina was no issue at all and he looks like he may get even further next year as there was no stopping him. John and Margaret Forsyth have been waiting for this win so to gain it in such an impressive fashion is very pleasing for all involved. The test of stamina could be key to Torremar and he is unexposed at this trip so there could be a lot more to come from the 3 year old.