Wimpole Hall gives Gaia Boni a winner to remember at Newmarket

Graham Clark
June 26, 2020 6:30 pm

First victory at HQ for Italian rider.

Gaia Boni can boast a winner at Newmarket on her CV after steering Wimpole Hall to a first victory in more than six months in the Play 4 To Score At Betway Handicap.

The 22-year-old Italian celebrated her second success of the season, to match her total from last year aboard the Canford Cliffs gelding for her boss, William Jarvis.

Anchoring the 9-1 chance at the rear of the field for much of the mile-and-a-quarter prize, the 7lb claimer kept a calm head before getting the better of William Buick aboard Songkran by a head.

Boni said: “I was very keen to get the same amount of winners as last year, so this is good for me to have the same number at the moment.

“Hopefully I can keep the ball rolling.”

On the winner, she added: “I was pretty confident when I got a lead as he relaxed in behind, so I knew he was going to have a good chance. I then moved him out wide and tried to stay there.”

PJ McDonald took the riding plaudits with a 340-1 treble initiated by victory for veteran sprinter Line Of Reason in the Head Your Hunch At Betway Handicap.

Despite being in the twilight of his career, the Kheleyf gelding showed he still retains plenty of enthusiasm to get the better of fellow 10-year-old Secretinthepark by half a length.

McDonald said the of Paul Midgley-trained 6-1 shot: “Full credit to Paul for keeping him in such good spirits. You can see his enthusiasm and that he still wants to do it at 10.

“Paul fancied him today. I rode him the last day at Beverley and it was a bit too soft for him. He bounces off that quick ground and really picks ups off it.”

Dark Regard gained compensation for a string of consistent efforts to form the middle leg of McDonald’s hat-trick – and the opening leg of a double for trainer Mark Johnston – when holding Wedding Date at bay by a short head in the Betway Fillies’ Handicap.

Johnston said of the 12-1 winner: “She has been running really well without winning, which has been frustrating. She very much deserved another win.

“Although something came fast at her at the end, she got the six-furlong trip well. You would have to say the trip was ideal.”

Stamina appears to be the forte of Bondi Sands (11-4) who pulling smartly clear late on to claim the Betway Handicap and seal a good afternoon for jockey and trainer.

Johnston said: “I thought the two in front were racing a long way out and maybe had set it up for one in behind getting a tow into the race. He did really well to stick on when they had gone from a long way out.

“He ran well last time at Haydock and I thought he would improve, so this is no surprise.”

Evening Sun (8-11) carried the colours of the Queen to glory when striking at the third attempt in the Betway Casino Novice Stakes.

Harry Charlton, assistant to his father, Roger, said: “It wasn’t a very good race. His form was solid in both of his races last year. He relaxed quite nicely there and he should definitely get a mile. He will go handicapping now. Jason (Watson) said he would be more comfortable with a little bit more give in the ground.”