Timia: provided the team with the first winner of the year.
Timia provided the team with a jubilant start to 2016 by posting an imperious performance in the seven furlong maiden handicap at Lingfield on Tuesday, opening her account at the fourth attempt under a confident ride by Pat Cosgrave.
Allotted a mark of 64 following three respectable runs in maiden company, including a staying-on fifth over course and distance last month, Timia broke smartly from the inside stall.
Content to take a lead, Cosgrave settled her in third as the well-supported Ertidaad was sent to the front under Adam Kirby, and he dictated a steady tempo as the field free-wheeled down the hill.
The leader came under pressure two furlongs out but Timia, sent off the 6-4 favourite, travelled ominously well turning for home before quickening up the inside to account for her four rivals by a length and a quarter.
As handicaps go this race was about as weak as they come, but our filly only needed to be pushed out under hands and heels to land the spoils decisively.
As such, she ought to be capable of overcoming a small rise with more improvement on the cards. We will await the judgement of the handicapper before picking her next target, although it might be prudent to return to Lingfield given her affinity for the course.
Congratulations to Timia’s owner, Ahmed Jaber, and we hope this victory marks the beginning of a successful year to come.