Flying high

9:00am Monday 14th July 2008

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RICHARD Fahey was ‘Flying’ after winning the John Smith’s Cup at York Racecourse for the second successive year.

The Malton trainer watched Flying Clarets (12-1) dominate the £150,000 contest – virtually making all to win the one mile, two furlong race.

Ridden by apprentice jockey Frederik Tylicki, Fahey’s five-year-old always had her head in front and, as her rivals closed in, she showed tremendous grit to stay ahead of Eradicate – coming home by a length and three-quarters.

Last year, Musley Bank-based Fahey notched up a one-two when Flying Clarets was edged out by Charlie Tokyo. But this year, his mare would not be denied in the feature handicap.

Fahey, who ran five in the race, revealed afterwards there had been talk of taking Flying Clarets to the sales at the end of the season, but indicated this victory might force a rethink.

“I can’t believe she won off a mark of 105. Freddy gave her a great ride,” he said.

“She’s an unbelievable mare. I was meant to be going to the sales with her at the end of the year, but I’m getting to that stage of my life where I need horses like her. She keeps getting better with age and we might have a rethink.

“She loves the track and the John Smith’s Cup, along with the Ayr Gold Cup, is a race I always want to win.”

Tylicki, who was born in Germany and whose late father, Andrzej, was a three-time champion jockey in his home country, said: “She’s a very genuine filly. I made all the running and, on the straight, I tried to stretch her and she just kept finding more.

“I have been with Richard Fahey since January – I am really pleased to work for him. Since day one, I have felt like a member of the whole team. It’s going from strength to strength and I’m delighted.”

Young apprentice Bradley Roper rode his first York winner, and only his second in total, when Blue Spinnaker (12-1) got up ahead of Violent Velocity to win the John Smith’s Fence Gate Inn Stakes.

The 18-year-old, who is with Mick Easterby at Sheriff Hutton, showed calm and poise to lead the nine-year-old to an eighth race win and was understandably delighted.

He said: “It couldn’t be better. Today is very special.

“It was only really in the last half a furlong that I knew I had it. I just kept him running to the line. It is absolutely brilliant.”

Tim Easterby looks to have another nice two-year-old up at Great Habton following an assured display from Mullglen (9-2) in the John Smith’s ‘Premier Club’ Stakes.

Easterby said: “I’ve had this race in mind for quite a long time. He loved the ground – he goes on any ground. He will go for another nice nursery.”

Elsewhere, Yellowstone (10-1) just got the better of favourite Gull Wing (9-4 fav) to score in the John Smith’s Extra Smooth Silver Cup Stakes.

And Amber Queen (3-1), ridden by Michael Hills, was an easy winner of the John Smith’s ‘No Nonsense Racing’ Maiden Fillies’ Stakes.