STEPHEN Craine’s decision to pursue a career as a dual-purpose jockey is paying off and he was again seen to good effect on Conry in the TurfTV.co.uk Handicap at a misty Catterick.
He brought the Patrick Morris-trained threeyear- old with a sustained run to collar the gallant Grissom close home and win by half a length at 14-1 in the seven-furlong heat.
Well established as a National Hunt jockey, Craine gained his first success on the Flat at Redcar at the end of August and having now taken his score to nine on the level, he will attempt a rare double today.
Craine explained: ‘‘I have two rides at Haydock tomorrow for Patrick (Morris), one over fences and the other over hurdles, then I go off to Kempton’s Flat meeting for four rides.’’ Apprentice Billy Cray was suspended for two days (October 11 and 12) for careless riding on Grissom. Cray was then unshipped after passing the line and gave up his ride in the final race due to a minor leg injury.
Paul Hanagan has a good record for Newmarket trainer William Haggas and they teamed up successfully again with Lovely Thought in the Go Racing At Wetherby This Friday Handicap.
Sent off the 9-4 favourite he strode away to win by four lengths.
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