“It it all works out, it should be an absolutely brilliant final with just a length between the field”
Doncaster’s much traveled deputy racing manager Karl Ward has seen some great races since joining the Stainforth racing office – as it was then known – when the track first opened. But he struggles to remember a final quite as competitive as next Wednesday’s Yorkshire St.Leger from Doncaster.
The final covers more angles than Mark Williams escaping a snooker, not least the fastest time being recorded by Mark Wallis’s fourth string, and his only runner to qualify, Avastorm. She held off defending champion Roxholme Poppy who, as a three year old, has added resilience to her unquestioned ability.
The opening heat had gone to Chris Akers’ confirmed front runner Sonic Spur, who held off the veteran Goldies Hotspur, who will be contesting her ninth Cat One decider.
The third heat, reduced to four runners, though Droopys Live didn’t need any help with an emphatic front running display.
Despite torrential rain, there was no track bias as with the six qualifiers coming from as many different traps.
Ward said: “I was particularly impressed with Sonic Spur who stayed on so well. He had previously struggled to get home, but even on a slow track, he seemed to stay better. Trap five will suit him in the final.
“I don’t know whether the slow track, or the cold night got to Antigua Fire, but he really didn’t run as well as in the first round. The other one who really impressed me was Roxholme Poppy. She showed great trackcraft and determination to come through the field and must have a great chance of defending her title from six.”
