Impressive Wins As Duo Thrive In Tough Conditions
You can tell we have moved into the latter stages of the turf season as the weather has turned and the overcoats are starting to come out. Recent rain has hit most of Britain and the racecourses have been battling on with very soft ground. Following days of rain, Carlisle’s mid week meeting was under threat but passed an early morning inspection. With 5 runners declared, Kevin was very pleased with this and it was easy to see why as Bungee Jump and Tagur both shed their maiden tags in dominant fashion on a tough day of racing.
With three runs under her belt Bungee Jump had plenty of options, holding a handicap mark there were nurseries, she was still a maiden and then there were the Novice races. Kevin and Nick Bradley, of owning syndicate Nick Bradley Racing, opted for the Novice race and duly found the 7f Watch Racing UK on The Go Fillies Novice Stakes.
Having started off her career in a promising fashion, Bungee Jump was coming into the race off the back of a slightly disappointing run. A fine debut effort over 7f was followed by an unlucky run next time out when dropped to 6f. Having come through to challenge, she found no room and had to settle for third. Although that was another pleasing performance connections felt that her future lay over further, something that has been a trait of her sire’s, Canford Cliffs, progeny. So when she headed to Beverley to race over 7 1/2f there was confidence behind her going close. Unfortunately she was slowly away and then never travelled before weakening and being beat a long way. It was felt that the quick ground that day had found her out so a line should be drawn through that effort.
Declared for the 7f event at Carlisle, Bungee jump would face six rivals. After passing the inspection the track would ride very heavy and it would be an unknown for all the fillies. On all known form Bungee Jump and Ann With An E should be the main protagonists and the punters felt so too. It was Bungee who would go off favourite and although ease in the ground would suit, heavy going could really throw up a surprise.
Having been slowly away last time out, Bungee Jump was out like a rocket this time and quickly hit the front. Kevin Stott soon had a bit of a battle on his hands as Bungee took a keen hold through the early stages with only daylight in front. This meant it was aquick pace being set in front and the rest tucked in behind, happy to let Bungee deplete her energy reserves.
Kevin was happy to keep things simple and didn’t want to knock his filly off her stride but with the heavy going he was keen to try and settle her. Bungee Jump was not really having it and continued to race too free which was a worry early on. She was soon pulling the field along into the bend and thankfully she hit it on the right lead despite giving Kevin a hard time. The two market rivals were well back in the field and it seemed like the jockeys were confident of a collapse from the leader when the pressure came and her stamina levels sapped.
Middle to stands side is always the way the jockeys head at Carlisle when the ground rides like it did. Kevin was the one dictating so where he went the rest would follow and immediately he began to aim for the stands side rail. With 3f to run, this move seemed to just settle Bungee Jump down but the question was how much had she done. Once on the rail the back markers began to work to try and close the gap. Suddenly Ann Without An E and Isle Of Avalon, Bungee’s big market rivals, were under pressure and making no inroads to the leader. One by one the field came under pressure whilst Bungee Jump travelled hard on the bridle in front.
Between the 2f and 1f marker Bungee began to open up and show that her early exertions had done no harm. The Cliff Horse had tracked throughout but once asked she looked one paced. This left Bungee Jump in command a long way from home and with nothing coming out of the pack, Kevin just sat and waited. Moving inside the final furlong he gave his filly a squeeze and she quickly pulled clear. The race was over and the rest was a procession for Bungee Jump. Kevin knew he had the race in the bag and as he closed up to the line the brakes were applied. Bungee Jump crossed the line with a 6 length advantage with the rest of the field well strung out.
Obviously some of the field could not get going through the ground but this didn’t stop it from being an impressive performance. Bungee Jump raced far to freely for this type of ground but still managed to quicken from the front and saw out every yard of the trip, looking strong at the end of the race. She will be a filly who appreciates ease in the ground but she is bred to get better with time. On this evidence she would stay a mile no problem so there are plenty of options still open to her, especially at the back end of the season. It was great to give the owners of Nick Bradley Racing their first 2yr old winner for the yard and if Bungee Jump remains in this form then there could be plenty more to come from her.
People can be quick to call horses names, questioning their ability or mental attitude. Tagur certainly fits that category but connections know a different side to him. Yes he was a maiden after 15 runs but with a bit of luck he could have easily had 3 wins to his name. Thankfully he finally got that elusive win when taking the 7f Watch Racing UK on BTTV Handicap, giving Kevin a double for the day.
Having shown ability at the start of his career, connections were confident that the son of Tagula was a winner waiting to happen. Later in the year on the all-weather he went close on a couple of occasions, bumping into a pair of well handicapped horses. Unfortunately he couldn’t build on that and it wouldn’t be until late in his 3yr old career when he would recapture that form.
This season Kevin tried a few different things to try and get Tagur’s head in front. Dropping in trip, stepping up in trip, cheek pieces and visor worn. There were some good runs and then some disappointing. When he headed up to Mussleburgh the form came back but again he would find just one too good, leaving as the bridesmaid again. Kevin didn’t wait long to try and find a race, with Tagur on a career low mark of 59.
Going into the race it looked like the ideal contest but then the ground went heavy which was a concern. It was decided to let him take his chance and so he lined up with Kevin Stott booked for the ride. Having taken the previous race Kevin knew exactly what was required on the ground and jumping well he adopted Tagur’s usual tactics of going forward. Along the rail he moved up but Reinforced was determined to lead and with Yair Hill swooping round the outside Kevin took a sensible option to let them go on. The race was going to be tough enough so he didn’t want to take his rivals on and set a cut throat pace. Sat in third he would track the leader throughout.
Kevin was working by halfway, keeping Tagur in contentio. It wasn’t a drive but he was certainly having to make sure that he held his position and was ready for the challenge ahead. Rounding the bend and heading into the straight it was obvious what was going to happen. As soon as he could Reinforced came straight over to the stands side, taking the rest of the field with him. It was a carbon copy of the previous race and between the 3f and 2f markers those in the rear began to struggle. Kevin maintained his niggling, never upping the ante and staying on the leader’s heels. Passing the 2f pole and suddenly the race started to look like a shootout between the front two.
Moving inside the last couple of furlongs Reinforced began to go for home. Only Tagur could go with him and began to move up alongside the long time leader. The favourite was getting into a little trouble in behind but the front two had opened up a decent gap. The end of the race was going to be a real battle, not just between the two horses but also against the track. Kevin now got into his drive and pulled up to the leader to eyeball him. Tagur was starting to get stronger and evidently was starting to get on top.
Just the final furlong now stood in the way and Tagur edged his chestnut head in front for the first time. Nothing else was getting into it so the winner was obviously coming from the front two. There was still time for a response from Reinforced but the long time leader had no answer to Tagur. The further they went the bigger the gap increased. Tagur powered up the finish and strode out to a decisive 2 1/2 length victory.
It has been a long time coming but thankfully Tagur got on the scoresheet, a first winner that Kevin has trained for Mr Andy Turton and Mr John Blackburn. This may just be the confidence boost that he needed and there is no reason to think that he can’t go on from here. He has proved that he can handle the conditions and it was one of the only times he has taken a lead which gives him plenty of options going forward. There was no stopping from Tagur so it would be interesting to see him over 1 Mile. Hopefully he can build on this and give connections some more fun, repaying the patience shown.