Sergeant in charge and set to make hay before handicapper gets a grip
Sergeant cemented a dream start for new owners at the Wiltshire yard of trainer Milton Harris as the gelding scored under Mitchell Bastyan at the track's opening meeting of the season.
The four-year-old travelled well before clearing away after the last to land the first division of the 2m½f handicap hurdle, marking his third win in four starts since August for owner David Keith Tye.
"He's a brand new owner to the yard and Sergeant has had four runs this campaign and won three of them," said Harris. "He's got another horse with us who won first time for him as well, so he'll think the job is easy!
"I thought Sergeant would win, but there's always a chance of something happening. He was well handicapped last year because he ran on bad ground and he couldn't cope, so we're trying to make hay while the ground stays on top.
"He'll be a better horse in a better race, they weren't going fast enough for him here, so he should win again – he may go for a valuable handicap at Wincanton next week. We'll do what we can while the ground is on our side, but the handicapper will eventually win the fight."
Karlie back in business
Karlie got the better of Puffin Bay in a dour duel to the line in the 2m½f mares' maiden hurdle.
The pair pulled 16 lengths clear of their rivals, with the Michael Scudamore-trained six-year-old winning by a nose under Brendan Powell on her first start for 260 days and since undergoing a wind op.
Racing Post Live is your ultimate racing watchalong every Saturday and during major festivals. Our experts offer uninterrupted tips, analysis and reactions to the ITV action. Subscribe to the Racing Post YouTube channel here and never miss a minute
Published on 7 October 2021inReports
Last updated 18:11, 7 October 2021
- 'I did say to Roger she would win the Guineas' - the pro punter who predicted Elmalka's triumph in November
- Sligo: Belhaven flashes home to land feature under Dylan Browne McMonagle for the in-form Joseph O'Brien team
- 'I'd like to be happy but it's hard' - David Menuisier frustrated as Tamfana finishes a luckless fourth in 1,000 Guineas
- Hamilton: 'He's never run a bad race there' - course specialist Arkenstaar extends track record for Michael Dods
- Salisbury: 'She’ll hopefully have some nice targets this year' - Ollie Sangster eyes strong season for Running Queen
- 'I did say to Roger she would win the Guineas' - the pro punter who predicted Elmalka's triumph in November
- Sligo: Belhaven flashes home to land feature under Dylan Browne McMonagle for the in-form Joseph O'Brien team
- 'I'd like to be happy but it's hard' - David Menuisier frustrated as Tamfana finishes a luckless fourth in 1,000 Guineas
- Hamilton: 'He's never run a bad race there' - course specialist Arkenstaar extends track record for Michael Dods
- Salisbury: 'She’ll hopefully have some nice targets this year' - Ollie Sangster eyes strong season for Running Queen