Another Treble Brings Up 50th Winner

Starting the week and finishing the week with a treble has seen the season tally hit the half century. Eeh Bah Gum, Lady Raeburn and Bergerac all won in convincing fashion to notch a treble for the team.

Well handicapped horses can be great to follow but also quite dangerous as they become that for a reason. Eeh Bah Gum only joined the team at the start of the year but was without a win since 2018. Having got his confidence back Eeh Bah Gum made it two wins for the year when taking the 5f Madeline Cup Handicap with ease.

Having started the year on the all-weather, Eeh Bah Gum made gentle steps forward to rebuild his confidence. It wasn’t until he hit the turf that he began to really put runs together and managed to gain a well deserved win at Mussleburgh. He continued to build on that with a couple of fine second placed efforts before finding himself on the wrong side of the draw at York for the Jump Jockeys Nunthorpe.

Returning to Musselburgh with Oisin McSweeney back on board, Eeh Bah Gum would only face 3 rivals. Conditions were in his favour and having the plum draw this time around, Oisin looked to be positive from the outset. Sitting handily on the rail, Eeh Bah Gum was just on the leader’s girths from the off. The pace was fair which saw the four runners well bunched up in a diamond formation.

Halfway the track kicks out with a little kink in the rail. Being sat up against it allowed Oisin to just follow it around without getting pushed off it. Eeh Bah Gum travelled supremely well and was hard on the bridle passing the 2f marker. Pulling his way to the fore he edged his nose alongside the leader which put the pressure on his rivals. As the others cam e under a drive, Oisin was sat motionless.

It was pretty clear heading to the final furlong that if Eeh Bah Gum quickened up it was game over. As Oisin loosened the reins his mount scooted clear and put the race to bed. It was a victory procession as Eeh Bah Gum poured it on under minimal pressure. Drawing further away he took the contest comfortably, under a hands and heels ride, stretching to a 2 3/4 length winning margin.

Eeh Bah Gum has thrived over the past few months and it great to see him not just winning but maintaining his form. He loves quicker ground and is taking his racing well so he should be out again soon. With a good record at Musselburgh, Eeh Bah Gum may be heading back across the border to build on his course form.

The Callan/Ryan combination was a winning machine before the jockey departed for Hong Kong. Friday eying at Newmarket was a throw back to those days when they teamed up for a double. Lady Raeburn had knocked on the door a few occasions this year but she finally got her head in front once more when taking the 7f Follow @racingtv On Instagram Fillies Handicap.

Lady Raeburn had stepped up in trip to 6f this season but recently she had been staying on strong over the trip. This led to the entry over 7f which looked likely to suit but was an unknown. Her 4 rivals had all contested races over this trip or even further so it was difficult to assess her chances before the race.

Sluggish from the stalls, Lady Raeburn recovered to chase the leader towards the centre of the track. This all changed after the first furlong with a pair of rivals towards the near side charging through to take over at the head of affairs. The race was completely split with the five runners forming two distinct groups.

Although they had raced on the near side, the group of two were the outsiders of the field. It became clear around 3f that they may be on the wrong part of the track. The field began to get racing as they raced into the dip and towards the rising ground. There was a change of leaders with the centre group now taking over and basically ending the chances of the two on the near side. Lady Raeburn had followed the leader throughout and Callan began to work away to get his filly lengthening and she maintained her challenge on the leader’s coat tails.

As they raced up the hill and into the final furlong, Lady Raeburn was going into the unknown but Neil hadn’t yet gone for everything. The front two had the race at their mercy and sensing the win, Callan now switched out and took the lead. It was here that he asked for full tilt and Lady Raeburn delivered, quickening up and moving away from her rival. Stamina proved to be no issue and Lady Raeburn stretched clear to record a first win of the season by an easy 2 lengths.

It was fantastic to see the filly gain another win and there could well be more to come from her now. Always travelling smoothly she quickened up nicely and the trip proved no issue at all. Unexposed at the trip she could easily go on from this and gain more success through the rest of the season.

The day’s racing was wrapped up just 30 mins later and ended with the treble being confirmed courtesy of Bergerac. Again a small field lined up but it was task completed for Bergerac as he easily took the 6f Follow @racingtv on Twitter Handicap on Newmarket’s July Course.

It has been a frustrating year with Bergerac as he has gone close in some big handicaps and been dealt some poor draws on other occasions. Early season positivity led to thoughts of the big meetings but unfortunately Bergerac went the opposite way. He got back on track last time when Neil was in the saddle, finishing runner up and returned to Newmarket to make up of the narrow defeats this season.

Blinkers were fitted for the first time, having previously tried cheek pieces. Although Bergerac is not un-genuine, there are parts of the race where he can be a little lazy. With just a trio lined up, Neil took control and rousted his mount to the lead. All three of the runners had shown potential to move up in grade but recently had been slightly disappointing.

There was no other thought than to keep the wheels turning as Neil poured it on from he front. Bergerac was being forced all the way with his rival proving quite free before jinking over 4f out. Straight as a gun barrel, Bergerac charged down the centre of the track.

Very little changed throughout the contes and Neil kept the revs up. Moving into the final 2f, Bergerac had his leading margin cut. Pressed he maintained the pace whilst Neil began to ease him on. It was as close as anyone would get to him and closing on the final furlong, Callan kicked into gear and went into his drive. The response was not immediate but Neil wasn’t giving his mount time to think and drove him on. Bergerac knew what he had to do and changed his legs, pulling clear. The race was over as Bergerac strode out to secure the win by 3 lengths.

This race looked the perfect opportunity for Bergerac and it was nice to see him go through and win. The blinkers looked to have kept his mind open the job and it could be that they stay on for the next few runs. He is a good horse and could certainly step up into the top handicaps. York may be the next port of call for him, having there last season and it would be great to see him get build on this win.