TRAINER Karl Burke pulled off a cracking long-range double today with a Group 2 victory by Poet Master at The Curragh followed by an impressive display by Flight Radar seven minutes later at Redcar.
The in-form Leyburn handler was following up Saturday’s Group 3 Hackwood Stakes win at Newbury with Elite Status.
Poet Master landed the Romanised Minstrel Stakes under Sam James in Ireland before Flight Radar looked a horse to follow by sprinting clear under Pierre-Louis Jamin in the Margaret Jefferson Memorial Restricted Maiden Stakes at Redcar.
Flight Radar, a three-year-old son of James Garfield, had shown promise on his debut to be fourth in a Haydock novice earlier in the month.
Burke said: "I like him a lot. We were confident he'd go close, and he did it really well."
Co-owner Dominic Bardsley added: "He was really impressive. Karl had a lot of confidence in him, and we think he's a really good horse."
David O’Meara is another North Yorkshire trainer in sparkling form, and he made it four winners from the last four runners when Brastias comfortably won the opening Racing TV Free Trial EBF Restricted Maiden Stakes in the hands of Danny Tudhope for Elwick Stud.
Tudhope said: “He tries really hard and is a genuine type. We couldn't ask any more than that today.”
Elwick Stud manager Gary Moore added: "He’ll get better with age and should stay further. He's done everything right today."
The drinks will be flowing at The Mount Hotel, in Malton, after Havana Prince's win in the Sky Bet Supporting Matt Hampson Foundation Handicap under Dougie Costello.
The grey gelding, trained at Malton by Tony Coyle and Kaine Wood, is co-owned by hotel owner, Mark Scholefied, along with four friends – Dave Bishop, Allistair Croot, Nick Kench, and Gary Hymas.
Havana Prince has now won three out his last four runs, and Mark said: "It's just fantastic – he's been a great little fun horse. We'll definitely be going back to the pub. The trouble is, it'll cost me money, because they'll all expect a free drink!"
The ever-popular Hollie Doyle received a big cheer as she returned to the winner's enclosure on her only ride of the day, What's She At, for Lambourn trainer Archie Watson in division two of the Racing TV Free Trial EBF Restricted Maiden Stakes.
"She's still very green but she did it well in the end," said Doyle. "I had to keep her up to her work, but she's got a good attitude and will get a mile."
Coppull Hall Lane, trained at Middleham by Ed Bethell, justified favouritism to land the Sky Bet Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival Handicap under Callum Rodriguez.
The Mayson filly runs in the red colours of David Armstrong, and Rodriguez reported: "She's as hard as nails. She's got a great attitude and is still learning the job, so there are plenty of positives."
Garifullina, trained at Darlington by John Davies, floored the opposition to land the Michael Hunter Handicap under Sean Kirrane.
The filly, a winner at Beverley in June, is co-owned by Danny Shine, Chief Commercial Officer of doors and flooring company, Leader Online.
Danny, of Heighington, near Darlington, said: "It was a bit nervy because she had to work hard to win today. Hopefully, with the right conditions, she can do it again."
Kirrane added: "She seems to be on a roll now, but prefers more give in the ground, so had to really knuckle down to win today. Hopefully, she can win again."
Garifullina was the day’s second winner to be sired by Mondialiste following the success of Brastias in the opener.
Jez Bomb’s win in the Start Your Racing TV Free Trial Handicap was a real family affair. Trained at Guiseley by Sam England and ridden by Oisin Orr, the gelding is owned by father and son builders, John & Adam Birch.
He was also home-bred by Adam's girlfriend, Trudy Goulding, at End House Stud, in Gisburn, after the mare, Cherina Dynamite, was bought in foal from Tattersalls.
John said: "We're working class and we're giving it a go! We had a really good feeling that today was going to be the day."
Adam added: "The fact that he's a home-bred makes it all the more special."
Young Rhys Elliott landed his sixth career win with a classy ride in the Go Racing In Yorkshire Future Stars Apprentice Handicap on Gastronomy, trained at Richmond by Phil Kirby.
Elliott, who is retained by the Michael Dods stable, took advice from Connor Beasley who'd won on the horse before, and executed the plan perfectly to beat favourite Bulldog Spirit.
The gelding is jointly owned by John Cornforth and the Well Oiled Partnership, run by John Bell, who works in the oil industry.
Mr Bell said: "The horse needs to be held up and come late, and Rhys rode a brilliant race. He'd spoken to Connor and told us how he was going to ride the race. He had a plan and got it spot on."
Redcar's eight-race card was part of the Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival.
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