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Piggott on a High Standing
THERE are supposed to be no certainties in racing – especially a 28-runner cavalry charge on the final day of Royal Ascot.
But Lester Piggott, Flat racing's greatestson, has not lost his magic touch and said High Standing was "a certainty" to win the six-furlong Wokingham Handicap for his Yorkshire-born son-in-law William Haggas moments before the off.
He was apparently unperturbed by High Standing's recalcitrance before the start.
No one should have doubted the old maestro. He would have been proud of the ice-cool ride that champion jockey Ryan Moore gave High Standing, taking up the lead in the final strides with Piggott-esque precision to deny Frankie Dettori's mount Asset.
The 6-1 shot was not without his supporters; High Standing's co-owners included Harry Findlay, the professional punter who is synonymous with Denman, the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup victor.
Resplendent in top hat and tails, 73-year-old Piggott's knowing smile in the winner's enclosure came straight from the 'I told you so' category.
Haggas now has his sights set on the Stewards' Cup at Goodwood for the winner, a race he saddled a one-two in 12 months ago.
He said: "He's gone up in the weights for the future and had a 5lb penalty so effectively he was 2lb well in. I was a bit concerned he might not get in the race then I was very concerned about the draw. The far side was dry so we might have got lucky with the draw.
"I think he's a pretty useful horse."
Haggas has spoken in the past about the counsel that his provided by his illustrious relative. However there are drawbacks - if horse or jockey do not perform to Piggott's lofty expectations.
Victorioius with Holberg in the Queen's Vase, his 100th success this season, Middleham trainer Mark Johnston followed up this success with a one-two in Saturday's Duke of Edinbrugh Stakes courtesy of Drill Sergeant and Record Breaker.
The winner was always up with the pace as another Johnston runner, Road To Love, made the running with Martyr also prominent.
Joe Fanning kicked for home well over a furlong out and although Record Breaker came with a wet sail in the centre of the course, Drill Sergeant (14-1) got the verdict by a length and a quarter. Martyr was another length away third with Young Mick fourth.
There was drama shortly after the stalls opened when William Buick was unshipped from the well-fancied Hatton Flight – an incident that actually helped Drill Sergeant according to the winning trainer.
"The loose horse in front of him gave him something to chase and that helped him along," said Johnston.
"I wrote to the handicapper imploring him not to put him up because he keeps running good races without winning and going up in the weights.
"It's great for the horse to get his just desserts."
Of Record Breaker, he said: "Arguably he was the best horse in the race, but he probably needs another two furlongs and he couldn't follow the field across because of the loose horse."
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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