Late Date was a winner over hurdles at Perth at this corresponding meeting four years ago, and he will contest the veterans 0-120 handicap chase, over the extended two miles and seven furlongs for conditional jockeys at 4.05.pm, with Billy Garritty riding him for the fifth time. Late Date got this current season off to a good start when finishing forth at Perth in September, when in need of the run, but unfortunately on his three starts since, he has failed to complete. His mark is now 4lb lower than when he was last in the winners enclosure in November 2019.
This article first appeared on the website in April 2020.
LATE DATE. 13 April 2011 Oscar-Regents Ballerina Owner-County Set Six & Partner.
Late Date is an out and out stayer who loves Sedgefield racecourse, and soft ground. He ran in two Irish Points before joining us, winning on the second occasion.
We gave him three runs over two, to two and a half miles in novice hurdles, for which the handicapper gave him a mark of 91. His next run was his first in a handicap over two miles and six furlongs at Kelso under Fin O'Toole, and he finished a very respectable second of 14. He returned to the Scottish track in April, once again finishing second, before a third placing at Newcastle, then getting off the mark at Perth over three miles.
Unfortunately it is the fate of many jumpers to suffer injury at sometime in their career, and Late Date would only see the racecourse once more in the next 18 months.On his return he was sent straight over fences, and on his second start began his love affair with Sedgefield, winning over the extended three miles and two furlongs.He seems to reserve his best form for the County Durham track as he has run there six times and won three of them. Late Date has a fair strike rate of four wins from 14 chases, and a 50% win to run ratio at Sedgefield.