Newmarket honours shared with dead-heat

Not only was it unusual to see morning racing on the July course at Newmarket, the feature Empress Fillies’ Stakes ended in a dead-heat as the judge was unable to split Havana Sprite and Glorious Game.

With the start time of the fixture brought forward because of the heatwave, Hugo Palmer’s Glorious Game went into the Listed contest on the back of just one run, a win at Windsor, while James Tate’s Havana Sprite (100-30) was having the fourth start of her career.

It was Charlie Johnston’s 70-rated The Can Can Queen who put the pace to the race and on meeting the rising ground she was proving tough to pass.

Glorious Game (7-4 favourite) had been under pressure for some time, but was finding for Oisin Murphy and while Havana Sprite (100-30) hit the front looking sure to prevail, Glorious Game battled back to join her right on the line.

Tate said: “She’s actually my first horse for Valmont (owners) so to win a Listed race for them is fantastic.

“She travelled so well on the step up to six furlongs, Hector (Crouch) gave her a great ride and we certainly don’t mind sharing the spoils.

“I was half-watching by other runner (Beauty Box) who hadn’t run very well and I was just pleased she was in the shake-up. To be honest I thought she’d just held on, but then you start to doubt yourself. When it takes that long the dead-heat always comes in.

“I think a quick six is her ideal so while it would be a big step up, something like the Lowther, a flat, quick six at York, would suit her. I’m sure a stiff five would be fine or there’s a few fillies’ Group Threes in France as the tracks are flat over there.”

Palmer, who also won the opener with Weekend Roar (11-4), was not at Newmarket but said: “I thought it was a very good morning’s work!

“I thought both horses showcased the best of Oisin Murphy, any number of riders would have been beaten on them both.

“We’re delighted with the filly, she’s remained unbeaten and is a first stakes winner for the owners, the Hall family.

“She had to be really game and it was just her second run. She’s a very good looking filly with a good pedigree so she’s a valuable prospect now.

“She was bought at Goffs so she qualifies for their very valuable race and that will be very tempting, but Oisin did comment that she would improve for going another furlong so I suspect we’ll do that before potentially dropping back.

“Having won on the July course I’m sure we’ll have a look at the Sweet Solera.”

Of Weekend Roar, who won the It’s Racing Staff Week EBF ‘Confined’ Novice Stakes by a short head, Palmer said: “We’re hoping he will be this season’s Song Of The Clyde for Middleham Park.

“The plan is to win as much money as we possibly can in as many sales races as possible. Oisin did say he will improve for getting his toe in. The plan is to go to Naas (August 3) where hopefully it’s soft ground before the Harry Half Million and Doncaster and Redcar.”