Ustath Wins Again!
Fri 27 Jan 2023
WINNER 5 OF 2023: USTATH, trained by Roger Fell and ridden by Sam James: The 'BetUK's Acca Club 5 Free Bet Classified Stakes' over 5f at Southwell.
Quite a month for the handsome Ustath! 5 days after his victory at Southwell over 6 furlongs, he and his winning partner Sam were back for more; this time back down to 5f.
Drawn in the centre, he made his customary sharp break from the stalls and disputed the lead. He was going easily over 2f out and when Sam asked him to quicken, he went clear inside the final furlong, winning readily by 2 and a 1/4 lengths.
"The Ustath victory roll will continue!" Watch the full replay here: https://www.attheraces.com/racecard/Southwell/26-January-2023/1550
Timeform rated it as a t63, saying: "Back down in trip, made the most of another good bit of placing to follow up from last time, though he'll be forced out of this grade in future; disputed lead, went on over 1f out, drew clear final 1f, comfortably."
Syndicate manager Mike says: "Well done to all his owners, AGAIN! As we mentioned in his previous winners story, he seems to just loves Southwell. That's 2 wins and a 2nd place in the space of 7 days. He has now passed £50,000 of race prize money won and is a credit to Roger for keeping him sweet."
Earlier on the card, we saw our Archie Watson trained BRAVE EMPEROR pass the post first in the Class 3, only for him to be demoted to 2nd in the stewards room. There was quite a lot of 'chatter' about this from the Sky Sports Racing team who didn't see that coming. As you may have seen from the on course interview with syndicate manager Tom, who was present, we were surprised. You can read more about that in The Racing Post story here: https://www.racingpost.com/news/race-reports/middleham-park-to-consider-appeal-as-stewards-reverse-placings-in-photo-finish/597620.
Timeform liked what they saw as they gave him a career best 103 rating and say: "Upped in trip, after 11 weeks off, was giving away plenty of weight all round and improved again, only denied a 4-timer by the stewards; led, ridden over 2f out, hung right over 1f out, joined final 100 yds and bumped Mohatu soon after, all out to hold on, subsequently demoted to second; this isn't the first time he's edged that way under pressure, but there seemed little wrong with his attitude at the death and he's a well-made type who is unexposed at this trip, so he should continue to give a good account."