'It's been frustrating and he deserved that' - Rum Runner snatches victory to end near three-year drought

A long wait for success paid off for trainer Geoff Harker when Rum Runner ended nearly three years without a win with victory in the 7f classified stakes. 

The eight-year-old gelding, who last scored in October 2020, finished runner-up on his three previous appearances, but claimed his first success in 30 starts by a neck under a well-timed ride by Shane Gray.

"We're delighted to finally get him back in front, it's been frustrating and he deserved that," Harker said. "He was a good horse when we got him but can be quite keen. Thankfully everything played out to suit and Shane knows him very well and gave him a peach of a ride.

"He had a tumour in his foot that took him a while to get over, and his owners have been very patient with him and are great supporters, having also had a nice sprinter called Wentworth Falls with us." 

Harker, who also co-owns Rum Runner, hopes to make a quick turnaround with the winner at Beverley's two-day meeting next week. 

He added: "He'll go to Beverley now. We might as well strike while the iron is hot, because it can go very cold again very soon!"

Cool victory

Ice Max swept into contention for some lucrative two-year-old prizes at the end of the season with a smooth victory in the maiden stakes. 

The odds-on favourite was a three-length winner on his second start for Karl Burke. The son of Dark Angel holds entries for the Weatherbys Scientific £300,000 2-Y-O Stakes at Doncaster in September and Redcar's William Hill Two Year Old Trophy a month later. 

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