The 'Sweet' Taste of Victory
Sat 19 Mar 2022
WINNER 22 OF 2022: HEREWEGOHONEY, trained by Fergal O'Brien and ridden by Connor Brace: 'The SBK Novices' Hurdle' over 2m 3.5f at Doncaster.
After the late withdrawl of the 2nd favourite, the field was down to three, with the hot favourite priced up to win with ease. Honey and Connor had other ideas, as they jumped off in front, hurdled well and made all! The pace quickened before 3 out, when the favourite came to challenge, but she stayed on well, jumped the last, as she had jumped all the hurdles, slickly and unchallenged, she strode out to win by 2 and 1/4 lengths.
"Herewegohoney bravely makes all to score." Watch the full race replay here: https://www.attheraces.com/racecard/Doncaster/18-March-2022/1600
Timeform rated it as a 99 performance, saying: "Took advantage of the favourite's unwillingness under pressure to get off the mark."
THE RACING POST wrote: 'Brace for Brace!'
'A day after again going close to breaking his duck at the Cheltenham Festival, Fergal O'Brien enjoyed some compensation with a double in South Yorkshire headed by the success of Herewegohoney in the 2m3½f novices' hurdle. Both winners were ridden by Connor Brace, who initiated his double when the Middleham Park-owned mare overcame odds-on favourite Lounge Lizard in the three-runner affair. Brace said: "She jumped very well and will be even better over fences." O'Brien and Brace teamed up 35 minutes later with Manothepeople, who made all to land the 3m½f novice handicap hurdle.'
See the official photo gallery here: https://www.nigelkirbyphotography.com/Horse-Racing/Doncaster-Racecourse/Meetings-2022/Doncaster-Races-Fri-18-March-2022/Race-5/
Syndicate manager Tom says: "Ahead of the race, it was pleasing to hear the Sky Sports Racing team acknowledge what a fantastic week we have had, with Marie's Rock giving us our first Grade 1 win, on the biggest stage! They also caught our owners at Doncaster enjoying watching their filly win, which was filmed by Fergal too!
Herewegohoney got out there and was instantly into a nice rhythm on the front end and her jumping was immaculate. Once they turned for home there was maybe a brief moment you thought that the favourite would trouble us, but if truth be told, I wasn’t ever really worried, she was always doing enough and won with plenty in hand in the end. Well done to her owners and I thank them for their patience, whilst we waited for the right conditions for her and yesterday, it paid off! Great also, to get our first winner with Fergal.”