POL ROGER, named after a Prime Minister’s favourite champagne, was the toast of Redcar today after winning for the sixth time.
The six-year-old is a son of Churchill, and Pol Roger was the chosen tipple of the legendary wartime Prime Minister, Winston Churchill.
Pol Roger, trained near Darlington by Michael Dods, showed admirable tenacity to stay on stoutly under Connor Beasley and finish clear of the Roger Varian-trained favourite, Supplicate, in the Market Cross Jewellers Handicap.
Owner John Sagar said: "He's done us proud – and it was a nice surprise today because it wasn't really his ground and he's gone up 7lbs since winning at Ayr two runs ago. It has to be one of his best performances."
Dods added: "He's surprised me because I thought he'd struggle off a mark of 77. He's been a great servant to the yard."
Malton-based John Wainwright, in his 40th year as a trainer, was celebrating after Startling lived up to her name to win the Try Racing TV Free Now At racingtv.com/freetrial Fillies’ Handicap.
The daughter of Zoustar showed startling speed from the stalls and the result was never in doubt as she came home clear of Julie Camacho’s All Good.
The winner is owned and bred by Kevin Nicholson, an electrician from Pickering, who owns Startling’s mother, Pepper Lane, winner of Ripon's Great St Wilfrid in 2011 and 2012.
Wainwright, who had his first ever winner at Redcar in 1987, said blinkers had helped the filly concentrate after she damaged an eye in a stalls accident at Chelmsford.
"They've helped rebuild her confidence after that and she's a grand sort of filly," said the veteran trainer.
Startling was giving Jason Hart a double after his win on Blake’s Monarch in the opening racingtv.com Restricted Novice Stakes.
The son of Ten Sovereigns made the most of his experience for the all-the-way victory for trainer Ivan Furtado.
The gelding, who finished two lengths clear of Bryan Smart’s Cyberspace, had been highly tried in the past, including when a creditable 10th of 21 in the Group 2 Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The winning trainer said: "He had a wind issue after Ascot, but we got that sorted and he's a nice horse. He was a late foal so he could be a better horse next year."
Jockey Jack Nicholls rode his first ever winner on Hurt You Never at Redcar on May 30, 2023 – and the talented young rider won on the filly again in the Watch Racing TV in Stunning HD Handicap.
Jack's dad, Adrian Nicholls, said: "Jack's riding really well and that was a lovely ride. He timed it to perfection."
Doncaster flooring company boss Peter Watson tasted his first win as an owner when the Karl Burke-trained Rock Steady Beat swooped late under Clifford Lee to floor the opposition in The Watch RacingTV Free For 31 Days Selling Stakes.
After the victory, Peter had a text from his wife, Rachel, saying: "I'm in tears. Don't sell!" Luckily, there was no bid at the auction.
There were mixed emotions for owner Nick Crummack as Cosmos Raj won the Marske Fabrication and Engineering Straight Mile Handicap for David O’Meara and Danny Tudhope.
Nick's wife, Wendy, is part of the 'Trendy Ladies' syndicate, which owns stablemate Pisanello, who finished down the field in 10th.
"I was more concerned that mine beat hers!" said Nick in the winner's enclosure.
Return of the Gods justified favouritism for Middleham trainer Ed Bethell and jockey Oisin Orr in the Start Your RacingTV Free Trial Now Handicap.
The winning rider said the colt appreciated the quicker ground: "He won nicely – I was never really in any doubt," he added.
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