Double Delight at Dunstall!
Mon 19 Dec 2022
WINNER 123 OF 2022: SERGEANT PEP, trained by Clive Cox and ridden by John Fahy: 'The talkSPORT Powered By Fans Novice Stakes' over 6f at Wolverhampton.
The son of Kodiac bumped into the now 98 rated Al Dasim on debut a month ago over course and distance; taking a creditable 2nd. He had clearly gone into notebooks, as the market made him favourite to go one better on this, his second start.
Loaded last, he pinged the gates and never saw a rival...
The second favourite tried to take him on, but as they came around the home bend, John kicked on and he put some distance between the rest of the field comfortably, to win by 3 and 3/4 lengths.
Watch the full race replay here: https://www.attheraces.com/racecard/Wolverhampton/18-December-2022/1409
Timeform rated it as a career best t90+ saying: "Showed improved form to get off the mark in straightforward fashion, having little to beat here but doing it well; made all, pushed along home turn, drew clear over 1f out, had plenty in hand; will go on improving.”
John said in his Sky Sports Racing interview: "He's a horse the team have always liked. I am very pleased with that performance, he is certainly progressive.”
See the official photo gallery here: https://www.jahphoto.co.uk/-/galleries/wolverhampton-horse-racing-2022/december-2022/18th-december-2022/race-5
Syndicate manager Tom says: "Well done to his syndicate. It just shows that patience usually pays off. I must give full credit to Clive and his team for the way Sergeant Pep has been produced. When I listened to all the positive affirmations that the Sky Sports Racing team were saying - "Kachy-esque” " “Exceptionally fast and exciting” “Has the tools to climb very high” - it was exciting!
WINNER 124 OF 2022: THE THIN BLUE LINE, trained by Keith Dalgleish and ridden by Callum Rodriguez: 'The BetUK Over 40,000 Live Streamed Races Handicap' 6f at Wolverhampton.
Our second horse to line up as favourite at the afternoon meeting, so no pressure! He settled into mid-division, making good headway from over 2f out. Callum switched him right as they came around the bend and he flew down the centre of the track. Pressing the leaders, he moved to lead inside the final furlong, keeping on well and just did enough, winning by a neck.
Watch the full race replay here: https://www.attheraces.com/racecard/Wolverhampton/18-December-2022/1509
Timeform rated it as a t87 performance, saying: "Confirmed promise of last run to record a fifth career success, 4 of those on all-weather; mid-field, headway under pressure out wide under 2f out, led 1f out, tackled last ½f, always holding on.”
Callum said in his Sky Sports Racing interview: "He deserved that, because he has been very consistent all year. We ended up in front a bit sooner that I wanted, as he enjoys a fast pace to run down, but he has done it cosily.”
See the official photo gallery here: https://www.jahphoto.co.uk/-/galleries/wolverhampton-horse-racing-2022/december-2022/18th-december-2022/race-7
Syndicate manager Mike says: "He has been a fun syndicate horse for his owners. Yesterday took his career earnings past £55,000 and winning 5-times is a good record. Congratulations to his owners and well done to Callum, who has ridden the most winners for us this year (8)!
I was also pleased to see our Karl Burke trained filly TILT AT WINDMILLS, take a fast finishing 3rd on her second start. The Racing Post selected her as their 'eyecatcher' on the card: "Eyecatcher: 'Tilt At Windmills (1.09) shaped well on her second start in running on strongly for a place."
The Racing Post also reported:
'Slick Sergeant'
"Sergeant Pep built on a debut second at the track last month to go one better for a comfortable success in the 6f novice contest under John Fahy.
The Clive Cox-trained son of Kodiac was one of two Middleham Park Racing-owned winning favourites as the Callum Rodriguez-ridden The Thin Blue Line later landed the 6f handicap."