A Dream European Double
Sun 19 May 2024
WINNER 33 OF 2024: ZIGGY'S DREAM, trained by Alice Haynes and ridden by Marco Ghiani: The LISTED 'Premio Nogara - Memorial 'Mil' Borromeo', over 1,400m (7f) at San Siro, Milan.
We are no strangers to the San Siro racecourse, having won the Group 2 Gran Premio del Jockey Club twice, with Ventura Storm and Raymond Tusk. Owners love heading there, as it is so close to the wonderful city of Milan and makes a great weekend away! Alice and syndicate manager Tim has been plotting routes for Ziggy's Dream and Lexington Belle and this race was identified, so they both fillies headed over and Alice was there too.
Breaking from stall 1, she was in rear towards the centre of the track and niggled along early, but started to make good headway over 2f out. Moving towards the stands side, Marco asked her to quicken and she responded to run on strongly; taking the lead inside the final furlong and going on to win comfortably, by 2 lengths. Lexington Belle just missed out on 4th, but Alice was pleased with her run as she settled much better than previously without going off too quickly.
Watch the full race replay here: https://www.ippodromisnai.it/video/video-milano-gallop/?lang=en
She returned to the winners enslosure, with a grinning Alice and Marco:
Syndicate manager Tim says: "We love it when a plan comes together! She deserved that winning black-type - in fact she is the first Inns Of Court filly to win a Stakes race, so Tally Ho Stud were delighted for her young sire. She was a private purchase from Robson Aguiar who we thank for his continued support and send our congratulations to Alice and our syndicate of owners on her 5th win. A lovely way for us to pass £800,000 of prize money won so far this year too!”
We have a lovely colt by Inns Of Court, that we purchased at the recent breeze ups - he is in training with Kevin Ryan and is not far away from a start. Share details can be seen here: https://www.middlehamparkracing.net/horses/view,inns-of-court-ex-asmeen-colt_1564.htm
WINNER 34 OF 2024: THE DRAGON KING, trained by Clive Cox and ridden by Jim Crowley: 'The Get Raceday Ready Restricted Maiden Stakes' over 5f at Doncaster.
Having his 3rd start here, he was 2nd on debut, but didn't take to the soft going last time out. We had waited for the ground to come right for him and this race was selected for his third run. Chalked up as favourite, he looked in great heart in the paddock.
From the gates, he was prominent, letting the leader take the race along. Jim asked him for an effort and he made his challenge well, to take the lead over 1f out. He kept on and when a challenge came from behind, he rallied and was always doing enough, to win by 1/2 a length.
Watch the full race replay here: https://www.attheraces.com/racecard/Doncaster/18-May-2024/1807
Timeform have given him a 79 rating for the run, commenting: "Got back on track as he opened his account away from the mud; close up, travelled well, led entering final 1f, driven out."
There was no post race coverage on Sky Sports Racing, but Jim told us:
See the official photo gallery here: https://www.nigelkirbyphotography.com/Horse-Racing/Doncaster-Racecourse/Meetings-2024/Doncaster-Sat-18-May-2024/Race-3
Syndicate manager Tom says: "Congratulations to his owners on what we hope is the first of many career wins! He hit the front and eased off, but when the 2nd horse came to his girths he went again and I like that attitude. I am very proud of him, as is Clive and waiting for the right ground was a good call. Well done to his owners - it's always lovely when a 2 year-old gets off the mark early on! We have so far had three make their debuts so a winner here and a marvellous debut 4th in the Listed Marygate from Glorious Kitty at York in the week, bodes well for our juvenile cohort. Now the 6f races are starting, we will see more of our mid season types being readied.”