By Peter Moore at Windsor Monday 15th April 2024
Windsor’s season opener was greeted by gale force winds and a some sunshine during the afternoon which turned out to be a particularly good day for both trainer Ed Walker and jockey Saffie Osborne.
The pair completed a double with Harpers Ferry and Phoenix Passion. Harpers Ferry backed up his encouraging run at Doncaster 23 days ago by going one better and completing a one length victory over Poniros.
Breaking his maiden tag at the third time of asking in the 1m 2f novice. The three-year-old is entered for the Bet Fred Derby in June and the Dante at York next month.
Walker said: “The dream is still alive, so we’ll see how we get on. I think he warrants being put in a trial because he’s bred to be that kind of horse as he’s by a French Derby winner and out of an Oaks winner, so we have to stick him in and see where we are. He’ll be a better horse in better races and he has a really high cruising speed.”
The duo completed a double when Phoenix Passion justified favouritism in the one mile handicap to get his nose in front by half a length from He’s Got Game.
In form Newmarket trainer George Scott made it three wins from eight runners in the past fortnight when Golden Paradise made a winning debut in the 5f novice with Callum Shepherd on board.
It was also a magnificent achievement from jockey Phil Dennis who twenty four hours earlier had completed the Manchester marathon before partnering Perseverants to success in the Class 4 handicap. The six-year-old trained by Scott Dixon had run well 22 days ago when finishing second of eight at Doncaster in a 7f handicap.
It was also a successful overseas raid by Irish trainer Kate McGivern who sent over Kendall Roy to win the opener under Silvestre De Sousa.