Fifth Abernant Thanks To Washington Heights

Some races just fit into the calendar for a type of horse and The Abernant Stakes is one of the those. Thankfully Kevin has the horses capable of winning the Group 3 contest. With the race at the Craven meeting, it is a good starting point for Group sprinters for the season ahead. Having had four previous wins in the contest, Washington Heights took the 6f Group honours in his first foray into group company at Newmarket.

Washington Heights has been a model of consistency throughout his short career, but it was as a 3yo where he was both progressive and unlucky throughout last season. He bumped into a champion sprinter, a rival who would climb 43lbs in handicap and another who would be Group 1 placed. It took a trip to Sweden for Washington Heights to gain a much deserved win, when he romped home in the listed event at Bro Park.

Thanks to his heroics in Scandinavia, Washington Heights would start 2024 with a mark of 104. That is one of those which has you bordering on pattern company. It was obvious that he would need to have a crack at that level to see just where he could reach this year. The Abernant Stakes was the perfect race, as the Group 3 contest attracts quality sprinters as well as fitting the schedule well. Most competitors in this race will be seen going through the sprint program throughout the season.

With last year’s champion retired to stud, the sprint division is open for someone to claim as their own. Although the field didn’t have a top level winner in the midst, there was plenty of Group 1 form on show, which saw Washington Heights regarded as one of the outsiders. Tom Eaves was in the saddle as the pair lined up against 13 rivals.

You couldn’t find a more straight forward horse and Washington Heights proved this by jumping smartly and straight into his stride. Soon leading the field he raced down the centre of the track as his rivals filtered in to track the pace. It was a strong gallop being set and Washington Heights would stitch into almost a length lead through the first half of the race.

Despite going a good gallop, Washington Heights seemed to be doing so in his comfort zone. Tom never had to ask the gelding and so allowed him to carry on, taking the field past halfway. They began to race into the dip and this is where a few of the runners came under the pump, attempting to close the gap on the leader. As they reached the bottom of the dip, Washington Heights was beginning to get pressured from his nearest rivals as they lined up to take a crack at him. Tom just began to nudge along as they would soon hit the bottom of the dip and start rising back uphill.

Coming out of the dip there was very little separating the first 4 or 5. Washington Heights maintained his lead but he would now have to dig deep to fend off his long time adversary, Mill Stream. The pair had just over 1f to run as they came out of the dip and did look to have it between them, despite a strong finish from others. Tom now had to get serious in the saddle and he found a very willing partner beneath him. There was only 1/2f to run and Washington Heights found another burst, changing his legs and creating a 1/2 length advantage in front. This would prove to be the race winning move and Washington Heights secured a Group 3 win, taking the Abernant by 3/4 length.

Improvement is a big thing with horses and you just never know where it can end. Washington Heights had failed to win a handicap last year but secured listed success at the very end. He has always shown a high level of form but stepping into group company does require a lot more. The 4yo was very impressive, he cut out all the running, set a strong gallop and managed to find extra under pressure. He beat a good field of sprinters with both the 2nd and 3rd having performed at group 1 level last season. The next step will be the Duke of York and hopefully on to Royal Ascot. Washington Heights has shown himself to be a quality sprinter and hopefully there are even bigger days to come.