Twaasol charges to taking Woodcote success

Graham Clark
July 4, 2020 3:15 pm

Epsom contest was won by Pinatubo 12 months ago.

Twaasol showed his superiority in the closing stages to maintain his unbeaten record in the Investec Woodcote EBF Stakes at Epsom.

The Owen Burrows-trained colt came with a strong run on the outside in the hands of Martin Harley to back up his debut success at Windsor in cosy style.

In a race won last year by Pinatubo, Inhaler broke smartly out of the stalls to lead the five runners in the early stages, with Mutazawwed keeping him company.

Modern News and Twaasol (9-4 joint-favourite) made their moves over two furlongs out, with the latter pulling clear to win by a length and a half. Modern News was second and Mutazawwed third.

Burrows said: “He was very good. He’s a neat little horse – not over-big – but he’s got a great mind and he’s a good mover.

“You’ve always got that worry (about the track), and he’d only had the one start. But he’s a well-balanced horse, so I was confident that he’d handle the place.

Twaasol and Pinatubo – since 2008, the only once-raced horses to land the @Investec Woodcote Stakes @EpsomRacecourse pic.twitter.com/FYsVUSa3md
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 4, 2020

“He has always been very professional in the way he has gone about his work at home. I said at Windsor he surprised me how professional he was. He was working nicely and we expected a good run – mine are not normally fully wound up first time out, but the way he did it you could not have been more pleased.

“We could have gone for a novice with a penalty, but I thought we might as well have a go at this as he is a well-balanced colt.

“When he won at Windsor I said to Martin he will want in seven in time and that has been on the back of my mind. I think we will have a look at the Vintage at Goodwood now, as Martin said just then that up in grade he wants to be going up to seven furlongs.

“As he has been round here the track at Goodwood should hold no fears.”

On following in the hoofprints of Pinatubo, who went on to be crowned champion two-year-old, he added: “I wouldn’t get too carried away just yet, but he’s obviously done nothing wrong and he’s one to look forward to.

“It’s great to have a winner on Derby day. It’s a little bit different, but it’s great to be here and we’ve got to be grateful that we are.”

Safe Voyage hit top gear to land the Surrey Stakes (David Davies/PA)

Safe Voyage gave John Quinn his 1000th career winner by taking the Listed honours in the Investec Surrey Stakes.

The seven-year-old stable stalwart powered home in the final half-furlong to assert close home and land a tidy victory – in a track-record time.

Shine So Bright had set a strong gallop with Vale Of Kent close up and Safe Voyage a few lengths off the pace.

But with the leader’s stride shortening in the final furlong, Safe Voyage (6-5 favourite) reeled him in to score by a length and a half from Vale Of Kent.