In-form Fahey hopes to build on ‘best start ever’

JACK GarritY showcased his riding with a last-gasp success aboard Eastern Impact to win the ferociously competitive Havana Gold Handicap at Newmarket’s Guineas meetings for in-form Yorkshire trainer Richard Fahey.
Trainer Richard Fahey. Picture: Anna Gowthorpe/PA.Trainer Richard Fahey. Picture: Anna Gowthorpe/PA.
Trainer Richard Fahey. Picture: Anna Gowthorpe/PA.

On a weekend dominated by Ryan Moore who became the first jockey for a decade to complete the Guineas double, Garrity – son of former jump jockey Russ – is clearly a rider with his best days ahead of him.

Unnaturally tall for a Flat rider, Malton-born Garrity has to work overtime to keep his weight in check and actually stopped riding in the winter so his apprentice rider’s claim could be saved for this six-furlong sprint handicap.

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It looked as if James Doyle had timed it perfectly on Huntsmans Close, winner of the Ayr Silver Cup when last seen, and the pair were neck and neck inside the final 50 yards but the verdict went the way of the Malton raider.

Fahey said: “As we say in this game, it was on the nod and our head was down at the right time. It’s the best start we’ve ever had, I just hope we can cope and we’ll have a great season.

“I honestly don’t know why he loves Newmarket and as he’s only won by a short head we can still think of the handicap route, he’s entered in all the big sprint handicaps. I stopped Jack riding in the winter for races like this. When you have a good kid it’s a huge advantage, would he have won claiming 3lb?”

Meanwhile, the aforementioned Moore made it a Guineas double as he came with a powerful late surge on David Wachman’s Legatissimo to win the Qipco 1000 Guineas at Newmarket.

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Last at halfway, Moore – successful in the same colours on Gleneagles 24 hours earlier – bided his time waiting for the right moment to make his move.

Unlike 2000 Guineas hero Gleneagles, who is likely to stick to championship races over a mile, there’s every likelihood that Legatissimo will be better suited by longer trips. The successes also vindicated the decision of the Coolmore breeding empire to secure Moore as their number one rider just a fortnight ago following Joseph O’Brien’s well-documented weight problems.

Sue Smith’s Pinerolo, a former third to Hennessy and Grand National hero Many Clouds, returned to winning ways at Hexham on Saturday.

Owned by The McGoldrick Partnership, it was the horse’s first success in a more than a year and a first for jockey Sean Quinlan since teaming up with the High Eldwick trainer.