Glideaway Star put in a notable performance in Thursday’s trial session at Newcastle, turning in a 28.81 for the 480 metres and the July 2012 son of Tyrur Big Mike and Darkies Fergus is likely to be seen back there soon as a precursor to a tilt at the Scottish Derby.
Owned by Anthony Rhodes, Julie Bateson took over the training responsibilities for the dog last October and had just settled him in nicely, clocking up his first two open, wins when he took a real purler at the Lol Jones Festival at Monmore and ended up sidelined for almost two months.
He returned to action with a win recent Newcastle’s recent Sky fixture and following his trial on Thursday, Julie is sizing up the new Conlon Family Building Company 480 Stakes, which starts at The Fossway on March 7, before travelling north of the border in April.
She says: “He is a very nice dog and I will eventually be stepping him up in trip as I think he could be a useful staying dog, but I don’t want to do anything at this time when you are still likely to get testing going, I want to take my time.
“I have discussed the situation with Anthony and Shawfield is a target. I like the Scottish Derby and I love Shawfield and the long straights there should suit him.”
The only dog to go faster at Thursday’s trial session was Ted Soppitt’s redoubtable racer Calzaghe Davy, the 2013 All England Cup winner posting a 28.72, and he is another that could be en route to what is shaping up to be a hot contest for a Category Three on Tyneside in a couple of weeks.
