Light work for Father Patrick in Racing HOF Stakes
Published:Sunday | July 18, 2021 | 12:53 AMAinsley Walters - Sunday Gleaner Writer
FATHER PATRICK used one stone, a lightning-fast break, to kill two birds – turning back stablemates PATRIARCH and GOD OF LOVE – before streaking to an easy win in yesterday’s six-furlong Racing Hall of Fame Stakes.
Lightweight claiming rider, Jordan Barrett, rode a perfect race, breaking FATHER PATRICK sharply with 110lb, getting the jump on speedy PATRIARCH, who was slowly into stride but soon rushed around to sandwich the leader between rail-running GOD OF LOVE.
PATRIARCH and FATHER PATRICK peeled off from GOD OF LOVE leaving the half-mile marker, showing superior speed to the home turn.
However, Barrett straightened with a ton of horse in hand and FATHER PATRICK quickly sprinted clear of PATRIARCH. EAGLE ONE closed from off the pace to secure second ahead of GOD OF LOVE whereas PATRIARCH predictably weakened inside the last half-furlong.
FATHER PATRICK clocked 1:11.4, winning his second race in his last three starts, after a battling third behind EAGLE ONE and KING ARTHUR in the seven-furlong Eros Trophy on July 12.
BACK-TO-BACK WINNERS
Samantha Fletcher and Shane Ellis both rode back-to-back winners on the 10-race card. Fletcher made all with 9-2 chance JAMAI RAJA in the fourth at seven and a half furlongs and returned to upset rivals with 23-1 shot, EL GRINGO, in the fifth at 1000 metres straight.
Ellis also rocked the 10-race programme, striking with 17-1 shocker, Gary Griffiths’ SMARTY TRADITION, in the sixth at five furlongs straight and afterwards enjoyed an armchair ride astride 2-5 favourite, TRUE AL SKY, in the seventh.
Griffiths had a big day, landing the closing event with consistent REGAL AND ROYAL, who went off at generous odds of 7-1.
Racing continues on Saturday.