Amplification
Amplification ran out a cosy winner of the 3.15 at Ffos Las yesterday, adding to his success in a Doncaster novice event last year.
Travelling strongly throughout under treble-seeking Eddie Greatrex, Amplification was clearly lit up by the first time blinkers, and there was a slight worry that he was just doing too much in the early stages. Sitting third or fourth turning into the straight, Amplification ranged up to Poyle Charlotte and Khazix and began to assert after receiving a couple of reminders from his jockey’s whip. Outsider of the field Arrogant emerged as a late challenger on the far side rail, but by this point Amplification was well in command and not for catching, posting a two and three-quarter length winning margin at the line.
The win was a relief for all concerned, as it was hoped earlier in the season that Amplification would have got off the mark for the year and gone on to better things by this point. However, following a promising return at Newcastle in March, things did not quite go to plan for a while. He showed signs of life when third at Lingfield last month, but that effort was swiftly followed by another disappointment. A drop from an initial mark of 80 to 74, the application of blinkers, and a decent racing surface, were all probably factors in returning Amplification to the winner’s enclosure in Wales.
It remains to be seen how the handicapper will react, but it would be disappointing to think that Amplification could not compete from a few pounds higher. He has an interesting pedigree as, although his dam is a seven-furlong winning daughter of Danehill Dancer, she counts amongst her siblings the Gr.1 St Leger and Gr.1 Ascot Gold Cup hero Leading Light, and the very useful 150+ rated hurdler John Constable. Amplification hasn’t taken after those relatives however, which isn’t too surprising as he is by the outstanding Australian speed-influence Lonhro, and his year younger half-sister Our Passion showed herself to be very useful and speedy when winning her only start so far this year for Wesley Ward in the States over five furlongs.
Whilst Amplification has not built on his initial promise, he is now a two-time winner and we can look forward to him hopefully progressing through the grades a little in the coming months.