By Peter Moore at Goodwood Friday 3rd May
Trainer David Menuisier praised his old boss John Dunlop after his classic contender Devil’s Point won the opening race of the day in the season’s opener at Goodwood on Friday.
The Pulborough trainer worked under Dunlop for six years and said the success of the three year olds colt gave him immense pleasure.
“I was happy with his run in the Prix Djebel [at Deauville in April]. They just went very quickly and the horse got tired as he was only at 80 per cent, like all of mine first time out.
“We plan to go for the German 2,000 Guineas [May 20] and, without being offensive, today was a bit like a racecourse gallop in our back garden, so it fit perfectly. This way I don’t need to work him again. At least he’s seen something else and we’ve made a few quid and everybody’s happy.”
West Ilsley trainer Jack Channon celebrated a double on the day when Rathgar landed the 1m 6f handicap and Desperate Hero got the better of King’s Lynn in the 5f handicap.
The grey managed to fend of the challenge of the Andrew Balding trained King’s Lynn by a neck.
Earlier jockey David Probert was on board Rathgar and quickly followed up for a double by steering Desperate Hero to victory.
Irish trainer Diego Dias rarely makes raids across the water, but when he does they are normally successful.
Almost twelve months ago the Brazilian stunned the crowd at the Goodwood Festival when he saddled 20-1 shot Mansa Musa to victory.
Turn the clock forward almost a year and he was back in the winners enclosure again with the novice two year old Brosay under Silvestre De Soussa getting his nose in front ahead of debutant Gold Medallist to win by a head in the 5f novice stakes.
It’s been a long wait of two years for another win from Baldomero, but the six year old made up for lost time by landing the 6f handicap under in form claimer Frederick Larson who made it five winners in the past 15 days.