James Garfield caps 'amazing week' for newlywed Scott
As weeks go, George Scott's might take some beating.
Last Saturday he got married to Polly Gredley before a snap honeymoon in Mallorca and there was more fun in the sun for the Newmarket trainer as he captured the biggest success of his career thanks to James Garfield, who ran on strongly to land the £75,000 Group 2 on a glorious Berkshire afternoon.
Named after Ian Balding's exceptional Derby, King George and Arc winner, the Mill Reef has been won by subsequent Group 1 winners Ribchester and Harry Angel and Scott has big plans for the horse that provided him with his proudest moment since getting his licence in 2015.
The 29-year-old, earning some brownie points with his father-in-law Bill Gredley, who owns James Garfield, will aim the son of Exceed And Excel at the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar on November 3 and described the result as "dream stuff".
Sent off a 100-30 chance, the Acomb runner-up picked up well in the closing stages under Frankie Dettori, who treated a sizeable Newbury crowd to a flying dismount.
"It's been an amazing week. He's danced every dance this year and we just feel he's been a bit unlucky on occasions," said Scott, who has a surprise destination lined up for a proper honeymoon with his new wife in January.
"Six furlongs is a trip he's comfortable at, but he he's shown up over five, six and seven so he's a pretty versatile horse and he's improving all the time. I think it was pretty smooth for Frankie, who said he was where he wanted to be and he hit the line great."
Scott, who had spells learning his craft in Newmarket with Mark Tompkins, Michael Bell and Lady Cecil and also spent time in the States with Simon Callaghan, was capturing his second nice juvenile prize of the month after Another Batt struck in Turkey.
He added: "Those two have flown the flag all year for us and we might go for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf now; that's always been the race we've thought about for James Garfield.
"Exceed And Excels go great out there, he's got tactical speed and he'll get a tight mile. Ever since Frankie sat on him at York in the Acomb he was keen to go there and if he ran in the first four that was the plan. We'll take a breath before confirming that, but it's certainly on the agenda."
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Published on 23 September 2017inReports
Last updated 19:23, 23 September 2017
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