Sharp Distinction (far side) neck and neck with Bailey’s Khelstar
SHARP DISTINCTION won an epic duel with a Charlie Johnston runner during the last two furlongs at Yarmouth yesterday to win by a head for Solario Racing (Berkhamsted).
It was the 4yo’s 13th race and clearly superstition held no fear for the chestnut son of Tamayuz! He’d been knocking at the door of late with a good third at York at the John Smith’s Cup meeting his latest effort.
On that occasion, over two miles, jockey Tom Marquand felt he didn’t quite get the trip on softish going. So, we dropped him back to 1m6f, the ground was Good to Soft and we had the 3lb claim of excellent apprentice, Adam Farragher.
As for how the race panned out, the Racing Post comments in running said: “Awkward start, midfield, headway and went second 2f out, challenging inside final furlong, led inside final 110yds, kept on.”
Winning connections on the Yarmouth Winners podium
I remember Pat Eddery saying that as a jockey, the last horse you wanted to see upsides you when you were heading for the line was a Mark Johnston horse. The trainer’s licence may have been passed on to son Charlie but the same adage applies. On this occasion it was Bailey’s Khelstar who was the Johnston rival but Sharp Distinction stuck to his guns and was in front where it matters!
Sharp Distinction was not winning out of turn, having been runner-up on three occasions and been third twice. Everything was set right for a good run but the icing on the cake was the superbly judge ride by Adam Farragher, for whom the win was the middle leg of a 764/1 Yarmouth treble.
Lightly raced, there’s surely more to come from this very likeable stayer. The question is – will that be just on the flat or will the jumps beckon? Amy Murphy is dying to put him over a flight of hurdles!
