A Nice Double Scotch!
Fri 08 Oct 2021
WINNER 90 OF 2021: BELTANE, trained by Keith Dalgleish and ridden by Callum Rodriguez: 'The Virgin Bet Novice Stakes' over 6f at Ayr.
Four starts so far for the son of Fast Company, where he has placed 3rd, 2nd, 2nd and 3rd. Chalked up as favourite, he was back to 6f, as opposed to 7 and taking in Ayr for the first time. Breaking smartly from stall 1 (on the outer) Callum allowed a horse on the inner to make the running, as he sat on its outside. At the 1 pole, he was ridden to challenge and the two horses battled away, with Beltane taking the lead towards the finish. He kept on well to win by a 'neck' with the two horses, three lengths ahead of the 3rd placed horse.
"Beltane getting to the front when it matters." Watch the full race replay here: https://www.grossick.co.uk/p/80532khg/C385230469/x1-beltane
Timeform rated it as a career best 84+, saying: "Showed improved form to get off the mark at the 5th attempt, finding plenty to edge it close home back down in trip; close up, ridden 2f out, stayed on to lead close home.”
Callum said in his Racing TV interview: "He's been very consistent and deserved to win. He put it together nicely and showed a good attitude, as the ground made it hard work.”
See the official photo gallery here: https://www.racingtv.com/videos/watch/horse_racing_replays/358370-virgin-bet-novice-stakes-5
WINNER 91 OF 2021: COLD STARE, trained by David O'Meara and ridden by Danny Tudhope: The feature 'Virgin Bet Handicap' over 6f at Ayr.
Having heard the feedback from Callum that the ground was 'hard work' when winning on Beltane in the first race, Cold Stare owners were delighted. Danny held him up towards the rear of the field and by halfway, he had made steady headway and looked comfortable. Given a shake up, he smoothly went on to lead over 1f out and with ears pricked, took the win by 1 and 3/4 lengths. A 7th career win and yesterday, his career earnings passed £100,000.
"Cold Stare has it sewn up!" Watch the full race replay here: https://www.racingtv.com/videos/watch/horse_racing_replays/358374-virgin-bet-handicap-4
The Racing Post made him their 'Star Performer' from the meeting: "Star performer: Cold Stare (3.15) had conditions to suit and ran his best race of the year to win with ears pricked."
Timeform rated it as a superb career best 103, saying: "Got back to something like his best having shaped well here last time, the emphasis on stamina back down in trip suiting him ideally; mid-field, travelled strongly, headway 2f out, challenged over 1f out, stayed on to lead final 1f, kept going well.”
See the official photo gallery here: https://www.grossick.co.uk/p/80532khg/C385230473/x5-cold-stare
Syndicate manager Mike says: "Wonderful to end the flat season at Ayr, with a double, giving us 7 winners at the track this year, so we look forward to returning in 2022, but could well have some jumpers heading there before the year is out! Well done to both sets of owners and thank you to Ayr, who shared the winners champagne across both syndicates after each win. Congratulations to Keith for being crowned leading trainer at the track this season and to Danny and David for their double yesterday. That's now 9 winners needed to take us to 100 for the year, which would be great if we could achieve that.”