Sondad powers home to land 'Scurry' Handicap The Michael and Dave Easterby-trained Sondad (9/2) continued his upward trajectory with victory in the €100,000 Liverpool FC Foundation Scurry Handicap. It was a fine performance by the five-year-old son of Washington DC, who was given a fine ride by jockey Joanna Mason as he and fellow British raider Dark Thirty fought out the finish. In the end, Sondad proved too good on the day to record a famous victory by half a length. Speaking after the race, jockey Joanna Mason said: "What a race. This horse has got me to some amazing meets; Royal Ascot, winning down at Epsom two years running. I have to thank the owners, my granddad the boss and my uncle for allowing me to ride him. "I think this race was probably one of the plans. Obviously we've won this before with Perfect Pasture. I think it was about 10 years ago now. It's always an aim if we've got one good enough. He was definitely unlucky in the Wokingham. We were drawn on the wrong side. You can kind of see today, I always need something to take me into it. It worked out perfectly today. "At home, he only just does what he has to do. Serena Brotherton rides him at home every day. I get told he's too easy to ride, so I've got to ride the tricky ones. He's so laid-back. He only does what he has to. He has such a relaxed nature. I think that's what gets horses so far sometimes. "We'll definitely have to look at coming back for Champions Weekend. Obviously in sight is the Stewards' Cup. We always love to have an Ayr runner as well. He was second or third in the Silver Cup and, obviously, hoping we can go for the Gold Cup. We'll see what the boss says." (Quotes from John O'Riordan)
