Latest news

A Double in Esher

Fri 27 May 2016

Global Applause

Inniscastle Lad headed to Sandown for the opening ten furlong handicap seeking a hat-trick. The son of Kyllachy has been a revelation since being stepped up to middle distances and he was soon at the front of affairs once more after he broke smartly from his low stall. Cornelius ensured he did not have an easy lead early on but De Sousa was able to set sensible fractions in front. After turning for home our gelding upped the tempo at the three furlong marker and as he headed up the Sandown hill it looked as though he may only finish third. Speculator travelled best of all but Inniscastle Lad fought him off and then he was briefly headed by Bridge of Sighs but it was not for long and he had half a length in hand at the line.

This was a gutsy performance from our horse and he shaped as though he will stay further. His first win this year was off of a mark of 65 at Lingfield and he is likely to now hold a mark in the high seventies after this victory. His ability to keep finding under pressure means it is hard to know how much he still has in reserve but there looked to be more improvement in him and he rose to a mark in the eighties as a two year old. Silvestre De Sousa has got on very well for him and this victory means he currently has a strike rate in excess of 50% for us this year.

Global Applause was very impressive when he won on his debut at Newmarket and we were very disappointed when he was second behind Mehmas in the Olympic Glory. A combination of ground, draw, trip and a better blood profile meant we were hopeful rather than confident of turning the tables on our Newbury conqueror. The son of Mayson was smartly away under Ryan Moore and showed a fantastic cruising speed in the early stages of the race. He soon had most of the field under pressure and quickened clear when he received a slap down the neck. Mehmas was closing in the final stages of the race and Ryan had to keep Global Applause up to his work but he was never in danger of being passed and won by a length and a quarter at the line.

This was much more like it from Global Applause and he looks like a very smart colt who possesses a lot of speed. He is a scopey individual who will continue to progress as he matures and as he strengthens he may well get further in time. Royal Ascot is very much on the agenda after yesterday evening's victory with the Norfolk Stakes being the most likely target although the Windsor Castle where he would receive a three pound penalty is still under consideration.

Congratulations to Dr Johnny Hon who owns Global Applause, we hope that your colt can run a big race at Royal Ascot in three weeks time. Well done also to everyone here at La Grange, you have kept up the momentum in May and that is due to a lot of hard work. 



< Back