Grandscape on the grass
Amateur jockey Sophie Smith took her seasonal record to two winners from just five rides, with an accomplished performance on Grandscape in the mile and a quarter amateur riders handicap which closed the card at Redcar yesterday afternoon.
Grandscape dwelt a little as the gates opened, but was keen as ever once he got into stride and Sophie soon had him in a nice rhythm, taking a ground saving path up the inside, and racing towards the rear of the midfield. Gradually angled out as the field turned into the long home straight, horse and rider had to work hard for daylight and racing room, weaving in and out between rivals.
Around two and a half furlongs from home, the crucial gap appeared, and Sophie wasted little time in pursuing the breakthrough. A couple of taps with the whip ensured Grandscape engaged top gear and he was soon in front, using his proven stamina to gallop on relentlessly inside the final furlong and draw clear for a six length success. In truth, the horse could have won by further, such was his dominance over the field.
Plans are now being hatched to aim at a similar race at Doncaster next Friday, although he will of course be burdened with a six pound penalty in a slightly higher grade. If yesterday’s performance is anything to go by, however, he will surely be competitive wherever he goes next.
Sophie has compiled an impressive record this season from her two regular mounts Grandscape and Perla Blanca. She has finished fifth, second and first on Grandscape, and second and first on the slightly reluctant heroine Perla Blanca. Those stats strongly suggest that her embryonic career in the saddle will continue to blossom.
This was also a much deserved success for Grandscape, or ‘Grandy’ as he is affectionately referred to! He showed a deal of promise in juvenile maidens last year, before just finding a mark in the mid-70s beyond him in the early stages of his three-year-old campaign. He dropped in the weights a little during the middle of the campaign, and is now starting to fulfil his potential. It is hoped that he can continue to progress and develop with age, hopefully allowing him to remain competitive as he climbs back up the ratings ladder. He certainly has the pedigree to do so, as a son of Lemon Drop Kid – whose progeny often progress with age – from a family featuring numerous black-type performers such as Land Of Dreams, Sahara Star and Yalaietanee.
This was a 30th winner for the yard during a trying campaign – but we hope that we are not finished just yet! We send our warmest congratulations to Sophie and her mother Kate, the winning owner, and thank all the staff in the yard for their continued hard work.