Racing

Quiet Reflection beats Gifted Master to Sandy Lane Stakes

Pat Smullen’s 5-4 favourite surprised by Karl Burke’s three-year-old in Haydock feature

Quiet Reflection ridden by Dougie Costello wins The Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock. Photograph: PA
Quiet Reflection ridden by Dougie Costello wins The Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock. Photograph: PA
Sat May 28 2016 - 17:17

Quiet Reflection created a minor surprise as she ran out a clear-cut winner of the Group Two 188Bet Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock.

Karl Burke’s charge was sent off at odds of 7-1 in a race expected to be dominated by the likes of Gifted Master and Buratino.

Gifted Master duly set out to make all, setting a decent gallop closely tracked by Gracious John with Buratino also sitting handy in fourth.

In contrast, Dougie Costello dropped Quiet Reflection in behind, waiting for the perfect moment to push on as the race began in earnest.

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Buratino was one of the first to challenge Gifted Master, with Donjuan Triumphant also kicking again on the run to the line, but neither could match the finish of Quiet Reflection.

Costello produced her inside the final furlong and when he gave the signal, she readily pushed on to notch a three-and-three-quarter-length win over Donjuan Triumphant.

Costello told Channel 4 Racing: “Today she travelled, I was happy with where I was. She’s won going away.

“I think she’s learned to settle within herself mentally and she has plenty of speed.”

Coral now make Quiet Reflection the 7-2 favourite for the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, while also offering 12-1 about her chance in the King’s Stand Stakes.

Earlier Home Of The Brave pulled out all the stops to land the Group Three Timeform Jury Stakes.

Hugo Palmer’s charge was sent off the 9-4 favourite to make a winning debut in the colours of new owner Godolphin and James Doyle had his mount quickly away and was soon dictating matters.

While the challengers were lining up in behind, Home Of The Brave started to push on, repelling the challenge of Breton Rock before Convey emerged down the centre of the track.

Convey tried hard to peg back Home Of The Brave, but the four-year-old kept finding a little extra to prevail by a neck with So Beloved two lengths back in third.

Doyle said: “He relaxed quite well and when I asked him to pick up, he took a couple of strides.

“He’s a horse that’s improving all the time.

“He’s very forward-going but he has a great attitude and is always willing to please.”