The East made a strong start to Racing League 2024, with three winners on home soil at Great Yarmouth.
Managed for the first time by ITV Racing’s Chris Hughes, The East picked up 163 points from the seven races to edge out reigning champions Ireland (153 points) on the opening night of this year’s competition.
The East struck twice in the opening three races, with Callum Shepherd recording a double on Ed Dunlop’s in-form Walter Hartright in the extended 11-furlong handicap and the William Knight-trained Royal Velvet in the mile handicap.
Dunlop said: “Walter Hartright is a fast-improving horse and it was a great ride by Callum. We felt we had a horse who was ahead of the handicapper but he was frustrating, hence why we put headgear on, which has completely transformed him. A special mention goes to Charlie Fellowes, our assistant [team] captain, who gets credit because I was not going to run him.”
Knight said: “Royal Velvet was impressive today. I think a flat track and easy mile really suits her. She is really coming to herself – she was quite backward last year – and seems to be thriving. It is hard to get a proper gauge on her, as she doesn’t overdo it at home and turns it on when she comes to the racecourse. I think she could be quite useful. She will be entered for Racing League next week, so I’ll have to have a word with the managers!”
Hayley Turner celebrated her 1000th career win in the UK as she brought up a three-timer for The East on Dylan Cunha’s Expressionless in the 14-furlong handicap. Turner rode her first winner on Generate at Pontefract on June 4, 2000.
She said: “It is really nice to do it. There are so many good girls riding behind me like Hollie [Doyle], and she will probably do it before the end of the season, so it is nice to get there first.”
Ireland’s highlight came courtesy of the George Boughey-trained Thunder Moor, who was headed before battling back to claim the five-furlong handicap under Billy Loughnane. Loughnane ends the night at the top of the jockey standings on 108 points, with Shepherd next in on 79 points.
Boughey said: “Everyone complains about prize money, me as much as anyone, but Racing League offers great prize money. We will keep supporting it as best we can.”
Saffie Osborne, Racing League’s leading rider for the last two years, helped to leave Wales & The West (130.5 points) well-placed in third after she guided Clive Cox’s Pedro Valentino to victory in the seven-furlong handicap.
Osborne said: “That was a really nice performance from Pedro Valentino. It was not my plan A to be making the running as I thought there would be lots of pace. From the stalls, it was apparent that would not be the case, but he pricked his ears in front and made my life very easy. They have a very nice horse on their hands.”
London & The South closed the night on 126 points after taking a maximum haul in the feature 10-furlong handicap, with Jack Channon’s Rathgar holding off Andaleep to seal a one-two for Matt Chapman’s team.
Winning jockey David Probert said: “A great training performance from Jack. It took us a while to figure Rathgar out but it is clear his future lies over this sort of trip. He was relentless and I was able to keep the revs up from a long way out.”
Kiwano caused a 66/1 shock for Scotland (74.5 points) in the six-furlong handicap, further enhancing trainer George Baker’s impressive record in Racing League. Baker has now had two winners and three places from six runners since the beginning of last year’s competition.
Team manager Linda Perratt said: “I spoke to George on the way back from Ayr races on Monday and he was very sweet on Kiwano. George won a £100,000 race for us during Racing League last year and has been a great supporter all the way through. We struggled a bit last year with runners due to the ground, but this year feels more exciting and there are a few more trainers into it. Hopefully, we will have a better score this time around.”
Two teams played jokers without success – Ireland in race two and The East in race seven.
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