Room Service Delivers A Huge Prize
The big sales races are a real boost and incentive for so many owners when purchasing their yearlings. Despite having to stump up a big entry fee, before they have even run, the prize money is huge. Room Service certainly paid back his initially cost as he took home the 6 1/2f Wetherbys Scientific £300,0002-Y-O Stakes at Doncaster.
Purchased from Book 2 at Tattersalls, Room Service was bought by the Byrne family who would race the colt. The son of Kodi Bear was the first horse that the Byrne’s had sent to Kevin and the partnership got off to the perfect start. Winning on debut at Wetherby, Room Service immediately showed promise is his young career. He followed this win with a solid third in a conditions race, showing that day that a step up in trip and time may be beneficial to him.
Room Service wouldn’t see the track again for 2 months and the time really helped him mature. Stepping up to 6f he was a fast finishing third in a York nursery, where the fast ground may just have been against him. The obvious race was only a few weeks away, with the 6 1/2f trip again looking like a positive.
The race revolved around form from the Ebor meeting. As well as Room Service, there were plenty of runners who had competed in the GoffsUK sales race, including the impressive winner. Along with that there was the Gimcrack second and other horses who had competed in nurseries at the Ebor. The race was full of depth but Room Service went into the contest in great form.
Tom Eaves had missed the ride at York, due to the weight, but was back on board this time around. Drawn in 1 Tom had a decision to make but was aided by the fact that his mount didn’t need to be forward. This allowed the pair to tuck in from the off and through the first furlong they ended up sitting last of all on the far side. The field split in to two groups but there was nothing to separate them.
Recent weather meant that the ground was on the easy side and you could see the turf kicking up. Despite this there was a strong pace being set, with the favourite forcing the issue. They got racing a long way from home, with 3f to run the pace increased and jockeys were getting more animated in the saddle. Room Service was travelling very well on the far side but would need to pass almost every one of his rivals if he were to win.
As the race really began to heat up Room Service cruised into contention. Tom had yet to move as the pair swept down the far side, sauntering past his rivals. They were well inside the 2f when Tom began to losses his reins and his mount easily moved up to the leaders, As they bared down on the final furlong marker, it was clear that Room Service was the biggest danger and he still had yet to move out of second gear.
Passing the 1f pole Tom asked for his effort. Room Service took the lead and never looked back. As he started to show his dominance, the colt just began to wander a little under his jockey. Tom was quick to correct him but the pair were clear, so edging over to the rail didn’t do any harm at all. The further they went the further clear Room Service pulled away. Hitting the line he had put 2 1/4 lengths between himself and his rivals.
It was a fantastic performance from Room Service and was a real statement for his future. He was always travelling powerfully but showed a great turn of foot when asked. Both the extra distance and the rain softened ground look to have been a benefit and this colt has a bright future. Generally these race take a good one to win it and Room Service will likely take a step up to pattern company now. Whether that is this year or not will depend on how he comes out of the race. This season was always going to be a bonus so it is very impressive what Room Service has achieved.