Riversiders Enjoying Ayresome Once Again
There are many reasons for why people choose their horses names. Some go on the breeding, some enjoy naming after family members, sometimes it’s a famous figure. Whatever it is there is usually good reasons why and Lady Ayresome is no different. The Riverside Racing Syndicate are not only keen racing fans but also big Middlesbrough fans. What could possibly link the two, well Lady Ayresome has done just that. Named after the old stadium she brought back winning memories after taking the 5f Racing Again On Monday 3 May Fillies’ Restricted Novice Stakes at Beverley.
The daughter of Kodi Bear had made an encouraging start just tens day earlier when running in a similar event at Redcar. Having shown signs of inexperience she ran with plenty of promise. The race was run at a strong pace and just when she was looking to finish off her race there was a little bit of interference with young horses running off a true line. Lady Ayresome had shown the right attitude in her debut performance but Kevin Stott offered some advice. Feeling she would eventually get 6f, a stiff 5f at present would suit with a little easier going.
Having listened to his stable jockey, Kevin was immediately struck by the race at Beverley. Restricted to band C and D juveniles, a stiff finish and the likelihood of watered ground, it seemed as though all the boxes were ticked. There was form to go in the race, which attracted a full field meaning the race was actually divided. Out of the 10 runners there was a good second placed effort from the favourite and Lady Ayresome had Empress Sheba in the line up, who she had 5 lengths to make up on from their debut. That sounded like a big ask but with the different track and perfect ground, connections felt as though she could well do that.
Drawn well, Lady Ayresome was off to good start showing much a much sharper attitude. Her old nemesis was away well and showed plenty of speed to lead the field through the early stages. The fav sat on the girths of Lady Ayresome who herself tracked the pace and had a lovely sit under Stott. Racing downhill Lady Ayresome just found the track a little against her and lost her balance a little with Kevin just needing to re balance her and maintain her position. The experience proved important here and she quickly gathered her feet underneath her and got back into a nice rhythm.
Halfway from home and the field swung into the home straight with Lady Ayresome looking at just 3 rivals in front of her. Having stumbled a little earlier on she now pulled her way through looking to be going very well. Kevin just started to angle her out as the long time leader started to wind it up from the front. They got racing 2f from home and Kevin got lower in the saddle, winding his filly up adds trying to get her lengthening. Initially the gap to the leader did not change but the runners at the fore were all kicking on.
Empress Sheba continued to lead the field entering the final furlong but was starting to look like a sitting duck. As the ground rises up and begins to test, Lady Ayresome changed her legs and quickened. She joined the lead and now Kevin asked her to continue going away. He changed his hands, working away on his filly who in turn was grasping what was being asked and really started to find top gear. Edging her nose to the front with 1/2f to go she suddenly changed legs and found another gear. She quickened up into a length lead and the further she went the stronger she was. There was a late run from the runner up but Lady Ayresome had put the race to bed, crossing the line with a clear 1 1/4 length advantage.
It was lovely to see the progression from first to second run and Lady Ayresome did everything right. Despite getting a little unbalanced once she hit the rising ground she powered to the line. Lady Ayresome isn’t the biggest at the minute but looks like there should be some more growth with time and this is only a positive. On this evidence she will get 6f no problem and should take another step forward with racing. There are no plans yet moving forward and it will be interesting to see what there is coming up for her.