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Bastiman finally achieves big race ambition
TRAINER Robin Bastiman finally achieved a lifetime's ambition yesterday when Borderlescott captured the £240,000 Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes, switched from a waterlogged York to Newmarket.
Ridden by Pat Cosgrave – who was claiming his first victory at the highest level – Borderlescott smashed the five-furlong course record of 57.32 seconds set by Rambling Bear in 1999, coming home in 56.09sec.
Smoothly out of the stalls, Borderlescott, a 12-1 chance, was always in touch with the early leader National Colour and when Cosgrave asked him to quicken as they approached the rising ground in the last furlong he burst clear and won comfortably.
It was the little six-year-old's ninth win from 35 starts, which include an amazing 16 second places, and Bastiman, not normally one to show his emotions, said: "I feel overcome, what can I say? He's been so unlucky but we have finally found his trip. I've trained for 40 years with moderate horses but Borderlescott is good. He's never won a Listed or a Group race but now he's won a Group 1.
"I have to give credit to my son and daughter; they train the horse now," added Bastiman whose yard is at Cowthorpe near Wetherby.
"I said to them that if he won this I would probably hand in my licence because I can't do any more."
Cosgrave was equally delighted. "He just needs everything to go right for him" he said.
"Sometimes his speed gets him to the front too soon. He wants a lead and he picked up super – I'm so glad he's won because he has been second so many times."
Another of York's Group 1 contests, the Darley Yorkshire Oaks, was also switched to Newmarket and was won – also in record time – by the Irish-trained even-money favourite Lush Lashes.
The Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes for two-year-olds went ahead at Newbury with the Mark Johnstone-trained 16-1 shot Shaweel – ridden by Greg Fairley – a convincing winner, with Richard Fahey's Master Noverre coming in second, two-and-a-quarter lengths behind.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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