The stable’s winning form continued in a remarkable fashion this evening, with 3 out of 4 runners victorious in their respective contests, resulting in an impressive 75% strike rate, a superb achievement.
Shadwell’s ALFAADHEL was the first of the winners on the score board today, continuing his winning form from Chester earlier in the month. The drop down in trip might have made all the difference for the son of Night Of Thunder, half-brother to our 1000th winner RAADOBARG, who showed he could easily handle the different conditions by comfortably dispatching his rivals in the Witheford Barrier Trials Tuesday 22nd June Novice Stakes at Lingfield this evening. Alfaadhel broke well from stall 10 under Jim Crowley, who proceeded to race out wide chasing the early leader Sir Rumi from the Richard Hannon yard. Swinging into the home straight Crowley asked for more and Alfaadhel responded well with a striking turn of foot to make up ground easily, cruising to the lead to put the race to bed from Sir Rumi 2L behind in second.
Alfaadhel lead home the first and third for the Shadwell team, congratulations to all involved. The son of Night Of Thunder has a bright future as he shows his adaptability to varying conditions.
NAGANO was the next to follow suit within the hour, with a pleasing performance in the Equine Products Founder Michael Reay Novice Stakes at Newcastle. It was the Wooditten form reversed where Nagano had come third to Peter The Great before getting off the mark at Nottingham, but on this occasion, Nagano proved his experience and stamina over a step up in trip to come out on top. Partnered with David Egan, they took up a prominent position in the early strides. Closing the gap on Pool Fund who had taken off with an 8L lead, Nagano travelled well out wide in 4th. Drawing into the closing stages Nagano and Peter The Great kicked on clear and battled it down to the line in a thrilling dual, Nagano prevailed to deny the John and Thady Gosden trained Peter The Great by ½ a length.
Congratulations to Nurlan Bizakov and connections. The son of Fastnet Rock has a promising future justifying favouritism this evening to come out on top bringing the tally to two for Varian Stable.
It wasn’t long until TINKER TOY completed the hat-trick on the day for the stable, landing the spoils in the Equine Products In Qatar @ aldousarivet.com Handicap at Newcastle. Breaking well from stall 8 under Andrea Atzeni, they tracked the leaders of Humbert, who set the pace in the initial stages. Atzeni nudged Tinker Toy along 2F out and continued to press in the closing stages, putting in a strong challenge to the current leader Thibaan. It was a tight contest but Tinker Toy kept on, moving to the lead to claim the prize by a short head from the Sir Michael Stoute trained Thibaan.
A fantastic evening from all runners who contributed to an impressive 75% strike rate for Roger. Many congratulations to connections of todays winners and to the team at home. We look forward to the coming weeks with some notable meeting approaching.