Silver shines for Murphy at Yarmouth

Graham Clark
July 22, 2020 5:00 pm

And Kameko does likewise in spin ahead of Sussex Stakes.

Silver Machine gave Oisin Murphy further reason to smile just hours after putting 2000 Guineas winner Kameko through his paces on the gallops when maintaining her unbeaten record in impressive fashion at Great Yarmouth.

Having run out a clear-cut winner on her debut at Chelmsford in November, the Archie Watson-trained three-year-old followed up with a taking two-and-a-quarter-length triumph on her seasonal return in the MansionBet’s Watch And Bet Fillies’ Novice Stakes.

Murphy said of the 2-1 winner: “Archie Watson quite likes her and he has placed her well. I’m thrilled for the owners. I think she can go on to better things.

The @Archie_Watson trained Silver Machine maintains her unbeaten record with victory under @oismurphy @GTYarmouthRaces pic.twitter.com/bKs8ungCeh
— Graham Clark (@GrahamClark85) July 22, 2020

“It was hard to tell how fast we were going because of the headwind and I would have liked to have got a bit of cover, but that wasn’t possible. I think six furlongs is her trip.”

The Classic-winning rider is looking forward to being reunited with Kameko – who was last seen finishing fourth in the Derby at Epsom – in the Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood on Wednesday, where he will lock horns with Irish Guineas winner Siskin.

He added: “I sat on him this (Wednesday) morning and he is in great shape. It is great that Siskin is coming over as they are the best three-year-olds around at the moment. I can’t wait to get back on board.”

Alicestar created a nice impression with a winning debut (Steven Cargill)

Plenty is likely to be heard about Alicestar (4-1) as the season progresses, judging by her debut success in the Southwold Novice Auction Stakes.

Winning trainer David Simcock said: “It was a good performance. There is plenty of her and she was the biggest in the field. She has always trained well and we were coming here hopeful. She was very professional.

“I will talk to the owners, but we might find another novice and take it from there. She will get better and better as there is lots of her. She could be the sort of filly to do well in America later on.”

Tom Clover will consider more trips abroad in search for new owners after Grand Canal initiated a double for the Newmarket handler and jockey Jack Mitchell with a facile victory in division two of the Best Odds Guaranteed With MansionBet Handicap.

Grand Canal was a rewarding winner for trainer Tom Clover (Steven Cargill)

Clover said: “Me and my bloodstock agent Billy Jackson-Stops went to Hong Kong on a whim last year and we were introduced to Patrick Chau. He came to England last year to the Craven Breeze-Up sale and looked at plenty of horses and ended up buying this one.”

On the 4-5 winner, he added: “He has just been quite an immature sort of horse, but it is nice he is coming together now. Hopefully he might get a bit further than a mile and a quarter.”

Craigburn ensured Clover kept in the good books of his mother-in-law Gay Jarvis after completing both his and Mitchell’s brace when bouncing back to winning ways in the Visit attherace.com Handicap.

Clover said of the 13-2 chance: “I don’t know what happened at Lingfield, but it was a hot day and he hated the heat. Before that he had run well on his stable debut over five here.

“He will be a good fun horse for my mother-in-law. I like to try to keep her happy. She is a terrific part of the team back home, though.”

Boss Power won an incident-packed opener (Steven Cargill)

Robert Havlin was hit with a 10-day ban for careless riding by the stewards after finishing third aboard the John Gosden-trained Swift Verdict in the MansionBet Beaten By A Head Maiden Handicap, which went the way of Boss Power, from the yard of Sir Michael Stoute.

Winning jockey Silvestre de Sousa said: “He took a long time to get going, but they went a decent gallop. He is a real galloper and I would like to see him over a bit further than the extended mile three.”

There was further glory for De Sousa through the Mick Appleby-trained Wrath Of Hector (7-1) in the MansionBet Proud To Support British Racing Classified Stakes.