Roman Senate - 4th at Kempton after 221 days off the track
ROMAN SENATE made his seasonal reappearance at Kempton yesterday after 221 days off the track and was a fine fourth, beaten just one and a half lengths by hot favourite, Watanee.
The son of Holy Roman Emperor has been ready to run for some six weeks but due to soft going and being balloted out, he had to wait until yesterday to translate his form at home to the racetrack. Being gelded over the winter has clearly made a difference as did the first-time blinkers. The horse travelled much better yesterday and being stepped up to a mile also helped.
The horse was well backed during the day and there was quiet confidence among connections that he would run well. However, there was a moment’s anxiety before the race as the 14/1 shot was spooked by another horse on the horsewalk to the course, fell over onto his back and hit his head! Fortunately, both horse and jockey, Stevie Donohoe were okay.
In the race itself, they went a very good pace early on and Roman Senate moved through the field to be in contention in the home straight. At one time, it looked as though he might hit the front but then a furlong from home, it appeared as though he might be swallowed up. In the end, he stayed on well to be fourth to put the Solario Racing (Chalfont) owners into the Winners’ Enclosure.
The horse seems none the worse for his pre-race tumble, he’s eaten up and seems in good order. This was a very pleasing reappearance and should give his owners plenty to look forward to for the rest of the season.
