Newcomer Duck Row proved a topical winner of the Haynes, Hanson And Clark Conditions Stakes at soggy Newbury yesterday. And the result had trainer James Toller singing in the rain as he explained: "I cannot believe the way things are going at the moment. I have never had a run like this before."
Toller had every right to be in buoyant mood as Duck Row's length-and-a-half victory over Quiet Assurance in the hands of Seb Sanders followed hot on the heels of stablemate Teapot Row's win in a good class conditions race 10 days ago.
The bookies were quick to make Duck Row a best priced 33 to 1 (the Tote) for next year's 2,000 Guineas and Derby while Teapot Row remains 25 to 1 for the Epsom race with the same firm.
When told Duck Row was a 33 to 1 shot for next year's Derby, Toller smiled: "I have got two horses in the Derby betting which is unbelievable. That win puts me on 13 for the season but we had a winner summer jumping so I am counting that one now!"
Amabel's all-the-way victory in the Polygram Monster Sale Fillies' Stakes proved a mighty shock for punters. But trainer Ian Balding admitted the 14 to 1 shot win was not that much of a surprise.
"She ran well at Salisbury on soft ground last time when she was drawn on the wrong side of the track and as the winner Flawless ran well next time it's not that much of a surprise," he said.
Kieren Fallon, who rides in 12 races today - six at the Berkshire course and another half dozen at Wolverhampton's evening meeting - kept up the momentum against arch rival Frankie Dettori when booting home Clan Ben in the Tony Stratton Smith Memorial Condition Stakes.
Dettori had earlier struck when Mick Channon's Sunley Seeker stayed on dourly in the testing conditions to get the better of Acid Test for the HMV Stores Nursery Handicap.
The William Hill Silver Clef Handicap for lady riders went to Montecristo and Rachel Flynn.
Dettori and Balding went on to complete doubles after Jorrocks finished well to get the better of Marjaana by a couple of lengths for the Coopers & Lybrand Handicap.
The Dick Hern-trained newcomer Ghalib, partnered by Richard Hills, stayed on in determined fashion to take the concluding Amerada Maiden, beating Brigand by a length.
