3 minute read
William Haggas is dreaming of Melbourne Cup glory after Harris Tweed made off with the Group Three Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes at Newbury.
Photo by Racing and Sports
The tough stayer is a hard one to pass when in front and under Liam Jones, the 6-4 favourite thwarted a dangerous-looking challenge from Allied Powers and went on to collect the race better known as the John Porter by five lengths.
The trainer is in cracking form, having won two maidens at the track on Friday, one of them with Harris Tweed's half-sister Vow, who is likely to continue on the path to the Investec Oaks in next month's Musidora Stakes.
Haggas said: "Harris Tweed thoroughly deserved that - he drew a blank last year and it's hard to believe that's his first Group win.
"To qualify for the Melbourne Cup you need to win a Group race over a mile and a half, and now we need to be sure he stays two miles. I'm going to try to draw a plan to have a crack at the Melbourne Cup. He is in the Yorkshire Cup and he might run if it's soft."
Haggas went close to another good prize, but Fury could not peg back Captain Bertie (7-1) in the Berry Bros & Rudd Magnum Spring Cup.
The Charlie Hills-trained winner left it all too late in the Spring Mile at Doncaster when only fourth, but was given a sensible ride by William Carson and had a neck to spare over the staying-on favourite as the rain started to lash down.
Hills said: "William actually thought he'd got there too soon, but he's given him a very good ride.
"I didn't think he'd get in this and we'll see what the handicapper does, but I'd like to go for the Royal Hunt Cup as I think Ascot will suit."
