Night In Vegas hits the jackpot first time EVE Johnson Houghton looks to have a useful prospect on her hands in Night In Vegas, who smoothly delivered the goods on his introduction at Ascot on Saturday. In the Peroni Nastro Azzurro Novice Stakes,the son of Lucky Vega settled just off the early pace before readily picking off Saeed bin Suroor’s also-promising Victory Gold to score by a length and a quarter, going away. It was a seventh juvenile runner and first winner from that division in 2026 for Johnson Houghton, who said of her 10-1 scorer: “I’m really pleased with him as you’re always throwing them in at the deep end when they come to Ascot. “He’s just done everything very easily but has come later than usual as I normally have a two-year-old winner in April, and I was getting itchy feet. “Royal Ascot (Coventry Stakes) would be on the agenda, but I think he might need a bit more experience. “I don’t gallop them endlessly at home, but I did take him to Kempton Park because my gallops were too firm.” As he came back to the cheers of Kennet Valley Syndicate VI members jockey Charlie Bishop exclaimed: “It took only one flick to send him up a gear. He’s a good prospect.” Radiant Beauty put in a dominating display to make virtually all in the Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% Fillies’ Handicap. Under James Doyle the 7-2 shot was hassled throughout by Song N Dance, but dug deep to stretch two and a half lengths clear. Trainer James Owen had no hesitation in nominating the Sandringham Fillies’ Handicap as a next port of call. He observed: “She was a bit keen, but she jumped and quickened with her ears pricked on meeting the rising ground. “It was a lovely ride in front, and she’s a stronger filly then she was last year. The stiff mile suits her very well and we will be back for the Royal meeting.”
