Analyst survives Stewards examination in Sprint Trophy Success
Volatile Analyst had to survive not just a tenacious opposition, but a long Stewards Enquiry to secure victory in the Coral Sprint Trophy Heritage Handicap for trainer and owner Keith Dalgleish under jockey Callum Rodriguez.
Volatile Analyst and Callum Rodriguez battle hard to win the Sprint Trophy
PHOTO: Tom Williams / JTW Equine Images
An 11/1 fancy after a mid-field performance in the Ayr Gold Cup a few weeks earlier, the first time hood had a positive effect on him as he battled on to keep 11/2 favourite Laugh A Minute at bay by half a length.
Air Raid took the field along at the start of the cavalry charge, with Copper Knight and Mr Wagyu looking to join in the fray in behind. Volatile Analyst got to the lead around a furlong out, but hung towards the far rail, inconveniencing Laugh A Minute and causing his jockey to snatch him up. Whilst Laugh A Minute was gaining all the time under his sustained effort, he just failed to overturn the deficit, as Volatile Analyst was declared the winner.
Volatile Analyst and Callum Rodriguez battle hard to win the Sprint Trophy
PHOTO: Jack Williams / JTW Equine Images
The drama was not over however, as a Stewards Enquiry was called. After what must have felt for connections an eternity, the placings remained unchanged.
“He’s obviously a very talented horse”, Rodriguez commented when he was interviewed after the result had been confirmed.
“It’s nice he got a large pot here”.
It was not the totally happy set of emotions in them few minutes for Rodriguez, as he was cautioned for careless riding, as he had allowed his horse to drift left towards the rail without sufficient correction, which took Laugh A Minute, placed second, off their intended line. The Stewards did not reverse the placings or issue a stiffer penalty as the placed horse had reportedly lose little momentum in this incident.
Volatile Analyst and Callum Rodriguez battle hard to win the Sprint Trophy
PHOTO: Jack Williams / JTW Equine Images
There was worse news for Jack Garritty, whose mount Air Raid, placed third, interfered with Nomadic Empire, being ridden by Jason Watson. In turn, he interfered with Mr Wagyu, ridden by Jason Hart. Garritty was suspended for two days for careless riding, as he was slow to correct his mount when they drifted left, which caused interference to the horses aforementioned, on his inside.
