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Tuesday’s racing round-up features the news of an impressive winning debut from Godolphin’s expensive purchase Treasure Fleet at Wolverhampton…
Treasure Fleet began to pay back some of his hefty 800,000gns price-tag when making a successful debut at Wolverhampton on Tuesday evening. The Charlie Appleby-trained gelded son of Kingman could be spotted travelling comfortably towards the rail as the field turned for home, but he still had plenty of work to do with a wall of horses ahead of him. However, a gap opened up nicely on the inside and when asked to go about his business, he picked up nicely to score by a going away three quarters of a length under Callum Shepherd, who was riding his first winner in the famous Godolphin blue. "He came home so strong," the winning jockey told Sky Sports Racing. "It's not often you ride a horse like that around here. He absolutely flew and came through the line really strong. What he did up the straight was really impressive it was a lovely debut."
The cold and wet spell continues to play havoc with National Hunt racing in England, with Catterick the latest meeting to fall due to snow on Thursday. The Yorkshire venue failed to pass an inspection on Tuesday morning. Taunton will hold an inspection on Wednesday morning ahead of their seven-race card, while Newbury, who are due to race on Thursday, are also being forced to inspect due to the forecast frost. Huntingdon have also called an inspection prior to their intended meeting on Friday afternoon.
Talented sprinter Night Raider looks unlikely to head to Dubai, with connections instead favouring a spring campaign in the UK. The son of Dark Angel was pitched into the deep end in the 2000 Guineas last season after two sensational all-weather performances at Southwell, but he failed to see out the mile before disappointing in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot. However, Karl Burke's charge proved he remained a force to be reckoned with when landing the Listed Golden Rose Stakes over six furlongs at Newcastle in November. A potential trip to Dubai was mooted in the aftermath, but after discussion with connections, Night Raider looks set to remain on home soil.
The Ed Dunlop-trained Havana Sky has been named the winner of the December Horse of the Month prize, a competition that is part of a £1,000,000 All-Weather Bonus initiative run by Arena Racing Company (ARC). The ultra-progressive four-year-old has gone from strength to strength in recent months, winning four races on the bounce, three of which came in December over six furlongs, leaving him top of the table with 15 points. A £20,000 bonus was awarded to the winning connections, while staff at La Grange stables were also presented with £5,000.
