Mercy delivers for punters
Last Updated: 14/08/14 8:10pm
A round-up of the rest of Thursday's action at Salisbury, including a hard fought success for Sister Of Mercy.
Captain Cat returned to action with a bang at Salisbury and his Roger Charlton-trained stable companion Sister Of Mercy had earlier given favourite backers a slightly uneasy experience before eventually justifying odds of 8/11 in the Bet totejackpot At totesport.com Maiden Auction Stakes.
A strong-looking daughter of Azamour, Michael Pescod's juvenile had made progress in each of her previous outings but was stuck for room when attempting to make her move with over a furlong left.
Doyle eventually switched to the inside and Sister Of Mercy picked up at just the right time to pass Who'sthedude by a neck.
"I thought I was going to get another odds-on favourite beat," said Charlton.
"The jockey felt softer ground and a bit further would help. She was determined, and got there in the end."
Brian Meehan's Taghreeb (4/1) ended up the winner of an incredibly tight finish to the Mary Wort Memorial Maiden Stakes, with a nose, short-head and head separating him from Persian Bolt, 8-13 favourite Moonvoy and Song Of Norway.
Jockey Dane O'Neill said: "He was very green, I had to get into him to get him travelling. He hit the front, and then he had a look around."
Ralph Beckett was thrilled to see Sleeper (7/2) complete a hat-trick in the colours of the Millennium Madness Partnership in the £25 Free Bet At totesport.com EBF Stallions Fillies' Handicap.
"It always gives me a kick to see these colours win, they gave me my first two-year-old winner and some of the guys have been with me for 14 years," said the trainer. "Not exactly Highclere, but they're loyal and perhaps long-suffering.
"I was a bit worried about running her as it was her fourth quick run in a month but she does very little in her races."
Spiraea (11/2) narrowly claimed a third victory of the season in the colours of trainer Mark Rimell in the Bill Garnett Memorial Fillies' Handicap.
He said: "She's done us proud, and I really need to sell her now.
"We seem to be doing better with our Flat horses than our jumpers now, so hopefully she can keep it going. I think she'll be better with cut, and she's still improving physically as the season goes on."
Rod Millman ended up withdrawing Master Carpenter from the feature due to the ground but ended on a winning note with Taws (9/2) in the Kevin Hall & Pat Boakes Memorial Handicap.