PRE-RACE favourite Crossways won the Carling Jersey Derby at Les Landes yesterday, but had to work hard to do so, warding off the challenges of Off Minor and Palala River on the final gallop to the post.
However, although trainer Alyson Malzard said she was ‘over the moon’ afterwards, she had her doubts beforehand that her horse would win.
‘Although he’s a good horse he’s got bad legs which means he can’t gallop every day, particularly when the ground is hard.
He was in England in the spring, and we’ve been taking him swimming at Bel Royal, which has helped.
‘Our next target will be the Clarendon later on in August, but I’d expect him to carry top weight in that race.
Even so, he is a class horse.’ Crossways was made favourite following a good second place at Newbury recently, but in a mile-and-a-half seven-horse race it was only towards the end that he took up the challenge and, inside the last 50 yards, shook off the challenges of Off Minor and Palala River to win by a neck.
Not surprisingly, Guernsey owners Trevor and Pat Galliene were delighted by their horse’s success in a race which had begun with Palala River breaking early and opening up with a lead of three lengths, followed by Crossways.
As they passed the stands for the first time, Palala River’s lead was down to half a length but the pace was slow and the whole field were racing well within themselves.
It was only as they began the final circuit that Ross Studholme increased the pace aboard Palala River and went on by a couple of lengths from Crossways, Martin’s Sunset and Off Minor.
By now the leading horses were racing in earnest, as Crossways, under Robert Havlin, moved through to take up the lead with Off Minor and Cheeky Girl close behind.
Palala River was also in the hunt before, as they entered the final furlong, Crossways stormed on with Off Minor, under Tony Proctor in close attendance, trying to make an impression.
Towards the end Minnie’s Mystery appeared to get boxed in on the home turn but it was to make no difference to the overall result as Crossways did just enough, in the closest of finishes, to ward off the challenges of Off Minor and Palala River to win narrowly at the post.
It was an excellent result for Malzard who afterwards paid tribute to her team of helpers who, in all, train nine horses at her St Ouen farm.
Meanwhile four horses lined up for the the first race, the two-mile Supporters’ Conditional Maiden Novice Hurdle, which saw Compassionate earmarked beforehand as the favourite.
In front of a 2,000-strong crowd Susejebha and Vrubel cut out the early pace and, as they settled down, jockey Paul Holley sent Susejebha on by a couple of lengths from Vrubel with Hakam and Compassionate close by.
Compassionate, under Ross Studholme, led Hakam by a length as they rounded the home turn, but between the last two flights Hakam put in a spirited challenge and took up the lead at the last.
In a hectic finish Compassionate fought hard to regain the advantage but Hakam, ridden by Vince Slattery, held on the win by half a length with Susejebha seven lengths back in third.
The second race was the Grolsch Handicap Sprint over five and a half furlongs.
Highland Flight was made favourite following two wins from her only starts this season.
After a level break Rod Lappin pushed Johayro round the field to take up the running with Highland Flight and Aqua Tiger close up.
As they turned for home Johayro was being strongly challenged by Highland Flight under Tony Proctor with Aqua Tiger and Arry Martin running on.
Highland Flight hit the front at the two furlong pole but a determined Johayro stuck with her and, in another exciting finish, failed by only a length as Highland Flight completed a season’s hat-trick, with Arry Martin three lengths back in third.
The fourth race was The Blackthorn Handicap over a mile and 100 yards and Catcando took an early lead from Hush Money and Time To Wyn.
Catcando was pushed on by Tony Proctor three furlongs out as Time To Wyn, Hush Money and Reliably Won began to get into gear.
At the furlong pole Catcando and Time To Wyn were neck and neck but Catcando held on to win by half a length for his fourth consecutive win of the season.
The final race of the day was The Stanley Bet Stayers Handicap over one mile six furlongs and six lined up for this.
As the field passed the stands Vince Slattery injected some pace on Out On A Promise and quickly opened up a three length lead.
The field was tightly packed on the far side but as they reached the home turn Out On A Promise was passed by Snow Lark, Last Eclipse and Bold Enough.
In a storming finish top weight Last Eclipse went away to win by two lengths from Snow Lark, with Regal Ali finishing third.
Article posted on 26th July, 2004 - 12.00am
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