Mist Bounces Back To Win Special Race
It is a good 0-90 3 year old handicap but the “Mr Wolf” Handicap held a more significance to Kevin as Dutch Mist bounced back to her best and secure the race at Pontefract. Mr Wolf was a real Pontefract stalwart and was regularly seen running at the track, winning on many occasions. When he was retired in 2012 it led owner Andy Turton to sponsor a race in his memory. What makes the race special to Kevin is that his good friend David Barker, who sadly passed away, trained Mr Wolf and it is a race Kevin has been trying to win.
Dutch Mist began her racing career with a hat-trick of wins following her debut run. This led to her being stepped up in grade, first to handicap and then pattern company. She ran with great credit but could never quite pick up the all important black type. A big, strong juvenile, it was felt that she could improve again as a 3 year old and so The Springfield Partnership decided to keep her in training and go again.
During the pre-season Dutch Mist had shown all her usual enthusiasm but more importantly she had shown that she retained her ability. When she returned at Doncaster, in a competitive race, a pleasing midfield run led to connections feeling confident a win was just around the corner. Unfortunately 2 more runs, one over 7f at York and one at Chester over 6f, yielded poor results and Dutch Mist had a few questions to answer. Her latest run at Chester saw her jump and travel before weakening at the business end, which led Kevin to believe some headgear may just be the answer.
At the start of the year Mist was running off a mark of 92 so when Kevin made the entry at Pontefract off 80, it obviously gave his filly a good chance if bouncing back to her best. With first time blinkers on there was a feeling that she may just recapture her 2 year old form but she was facing a tough task. With 7 rivals lining up against Mist, all of whom were in better form, she was sent off the 16-1 outsider, a price that was probably too big but reflected her recent form. Fortunately horses don’t know their price and and Dutch Mist ended up making a mockery of her odds.
Keagan Latham had just got of the mark for the season on Saturday and got the leg up of the chestnut. The pair had winning form together last year, winning a Thirsk maiden. The race looked to be full of pace but Pontefract always makes sure it is a test with the uphill finish. This built confidence as Dutch Mist has always looked like she needs a stern test and should be doing her best work at the end of the race. Keagan knew his plan of attack and fortunately both horse and jockey played it out to the second.
Situated right on the outside of the 8 runners, Keagan was going to have to either go forward or take a pull in order to get a nice position. It was the latter as Mist didn’t have enough speed initially when the stalls opened. There was a mad dash for the lead and it left Mist towards the rear, about 3 horses off the rail. The strong gallop was expected and there were a line of 3 who pushed the early pace, leaving the field to split into 4 in front and 4 behind. Dutch Mist wasn’t run off her feet but it was a pace she wasn’t completely comfortable with.
The field were hurtling downhill and over the undulations that cover the first couple of furlongs and the leaders pressed on all the way. Keagan seemed happy to be off the pace and left Mist alone, hoping to pick up the leaders later on. With the gallop being strong it was obvious the race was going to be a real test once they turned for home.
Pontefract sprints are around the bend and the halfway point of the race comes about mid point of the home bend. It was here that the pace quickened, forcing some of the back markers to make a little move, getting closer for their challenge. Keagan asked Mist to do this but she couldn’t go with them and was left a couple of lengths, out of the back door. She looked seemingly beat at this point with plenty of ground to make up.
As the race began to unfold the leaders straightened up for home and tried to fend off the challengers. The pace has come at a price and now it was the horses off the pace who were beginning to take control. Keagan was urging his mount along and had now latched on to the back of the group again with a run down the stands side. As the field moved inside the final 2f there were chances all over and the leaders began to give sway.
Dutch Mist was trying hard and began to pick up, but still looked unlikely to win. The four horses who had been held up were now the ones coming to the fore and were spread across the track. Keagan was not for giving up and the more he asked the closer Mist got to making a real challenge.
Heading into the final furlong and Bossipop, who had been next to Mist, burst through and looked the most likely winner. Dutch Mist had been making up ground and managed to get on terms down the outside of the group but there was still another 2 or 3 with chances. It was going to go down to the wire with the 4 runners spread across the track and each battling hard. The rising ground at the finish was going to be the deciding factor and once Mist hit this she really got into top gear. The battle for the lead was close and there was no clear winner emerging. Keagan was getting everything out of his filly and as she picked up the gap closed so she was on terms. Once Mist got in line with her rivals there was no stopping her and she stuck her blinkered head in front. The favourite, Gallipoli, had also burst through along the rail but it was Mist who carried the momentum. With strides left in the race she held sway and then galloped all the way through the line to win by a neck.
It was great to see Dutch Mist back to winning ways and she showed a very willing attitude. Although Kevin decided to go with some blinkers, Mist is far from un-genuine. She gets outpaced but sees the trip out really well so they were fitted to ensure she was close enough to challenge. Obviously she has come down in the handicap too but she is certainly better than an 80 rated filly. There has always been a feeling that she might be better at 7f but her one effort over that trip resulted in her not staying. Dutch Mist may just be filly that needs a stiff 6f and a true gallop, like she got here. She will certainly live long in the memory of Kevin as she secured a race that will always be remembered for DB, a great friend.
Dutch Mist Leaving It Late In A Blanket Finish