FEBRUARY REVIEW
The turf season is fast approaching, but we were delighted to add nine winners to our tally in February.
There was a lot to like about the manner of Plage de Havre’s wide-margin success at Newcastle, with Jason Watson on board. Demoted to second after crossing the line in front on handicap debut at Southwell on his previous start, he bounded clear of some experienced rivals on this latest outing and looks a fine prospect for the big middle-distance handicaps this year.
Tuscan Star has been a rapid improver already this year, adding a novice success at Newcastle under Callum Hutchinson in mid-month to his maiden win at Southwell in January, and then defying an opening handicap mark of 80 in great style upped to 1m3f at Kempton Park twelve days later, with Oisin Murphy on board. He has been raised another 4lbs, but looks capable of progressing further and is an interesting handicapper for the season ahead.
Humam had won a valuable novice on his previous start and followed that with a ready success on handicap debut at Southwell, with Hayley Turner on board. That form has taken a significant boost, with the runner-up winning at Listed level next time, and the 6lbs rise looks fair. Three of his four siblings are black-type performers and he’s a lovely prospect going forward.
Berkshire Whisper is now two from three, following up his Kempton novice win with a facile success under a penalty at Newcastle, with Jason Watson doing the steering. He looks a useful sprinter in the making and is an exciting type for the turf.
It was very pleasing to see Stateira make a winning debut at Southwell in the hands of Nicola Currie. It was a taking performance, quickening clear of a previous winner back in second, and she is a scopey individual with a bright future.
Royal Approval improved his record at Newcastle to two wins from three starts with a hard-fought success in the hands of Jason Watson, on what was the four year old’s handicap debut. He was unable to build on that at Lingfield Park next time, but can improve on turf in the coming months.
Groovy Baby had finished runner-up on six occasions, so it was fantastic to see the beautifully-bred daughter of Kingman get her head in front at Kempton Park under Oisin Murphy, a win that will have undoubtedly boosted her paddock value.
Grenham Bay gained his second victory this winter under an excellent front-running ride from Oisin Murphy at Kempton Park. He may just have been feeling the effects of a busy spell on his subsequent starts, but can go on to further success this season.