Another season comes to a close at Wetherby racecourse, where they stage their final meeting of the 20/21 season with a flat card, set to take place on good to firm ground, and they are watering.
We have two debutantes in the three, and four year old only novices median auction stakes at 5.30.pm, to be run over seven furlongs. Mighty Micky makes his racecourse debut under Tony Hamilton, he is by the Group 3 winning six furlong sprinter Coulsty, out of a Compton Place mare, so he is definitely bred to be a sprinter. His dam failed to win in 10 racecourse appearances in Ireland, but did achieve a best rating of 75. Mighty Micky has three winning siblings, including the 105 rated Bengali Boys, who was the winner of the Weatherbys Super Sprint at Newbury in 2017.
We are also represented by the newcomer Red Amapola who will be ridden by Joanna Mason having her first ride for the yard. Red Amapola is by the second season sire Marcel, who won the Racing Post Trophy in 2015, but has only had a handful of runners to date, including our very own Creative Mojo. Red Amapola's dam was a classy stayer, who won two of her 14 starts, and has had seven previous racecourse representatives to date, four of which have seen the winners enclosure.
Walkonby ran a lot better at Pontefract 11 days ago, than the 14 and a half length fourth finishing position would suggest. This was a big step forward on her previous starts since joining us from the Mick Channon yard last autumn, and her handicap mark of 67 is beginning to look attractive. The ground could be a concern as she hasn't performed well in the past when the word firm as appeared in the going description.The race is over 10 furlongs at 7.0.pm, and Silvestre De Sousa will let her know she is there to race.
We are also doubly represented at 8.05,pm, a 0-60 handicap over two miles, where both Rockliffe, who will be ridden by Aiden Brookes, and Burnage Boy who will be partnered by Sophie Clements, who will be having her first ride for the yard, once again take each other on. The pair met at Redcar back in April, where Burnage Boy finished fourth, two and a quarter lengths in front of Rockliffe who was seventh. Both have disappointed since, with Burnage Boy finishing ninth at Wolverhampton, and Rockliffe finishing sixth over hurdles at Sedgefield. Rockliffe shouldn't have any problem with a good to firm surface, and it should also hold no fears for Burnage Boy.
To keep up to date with all the latest happenings at Oakwood Stables, and Sharp Hill, click on 'NEWS' at www.mickyhammondracing.
Good luck to the connections, Mrs N J McGrath, Miss Rebecca Dennis, Cheltenham Trail & Cleeve Racing Club, RM&T, S Toomes, J Hill & Partners, and JFW Properties Ltd.