Friday Fall Out November 9
10 November, 2018
Harness
The Mike Reed-trained Maczaffair has stamped herself as one of the mares to beat for upcoming feature races, with a strong win in the Listed York Cup (2130m) at Gloucester Park last night.
The five-year-old finished powerfully over her rivals, to record her first win since the Group 2 Breeders Stakes in May.
Reinsman Mark Reed gave the mare a lovely trip throughout the feature event, settling one off the fence on the back of race favourite El Jacko.
Another talented mare Eden Franco hit the front at the top of the home straight, but she couldn’t hold off Maczaffair, who went on to win by 2.7m.
Eden Franco held on for second, while outsider Cracka Star was third.
Reed said he thought Maczaffair would find it tough to beat El Jacko, but knew he was a chance on the final lap.
“The way the race was run, I was a bit surprised early and Overboard Again found the front,” he said.
“They turned it on early and we got a bit of luck when El Jacko locked wheels down the back.
“To her credit, to round up Eden Franco, she has done a big job.”
Maczaffair will now be aimed towards the Group 1 Mares Classic on December 7 and Reed forecasted further improvement from the mare.
“She’s still a bit big in condition,” he said.
“She should only strip fitter and fitter from here on in.”
It was a win which may have surprised Reed in more ways than one, after he suffered a significant health scare a fortnight ago and saw him taken off drives on Gloucester Park’s Italian night.
Reed said he was now back to full health.
Another mare that could also be on her way to the Mares Classic is the Justin Prentice-trained and driven Pick My Pocket, who was too good for her rivals in the Cellarbrations York Fillies And Mares Pace (2130m).
Prentice had to do a bit of work early on the five-year-old and eventually found the breeze in the home straight the first time.
Pick My Pocket found the lead on the turn for home as leader Suzies Gem faded, and went on to win by 2.7m to Gunna Get Lucky and Parisian Partygirl.
Prentice said he felt the mare deserved a chance to record a Group 1 win next month.
“That’s the aim,” he said.
“I definitely think she’s good enough to be in them, whether she’s good enough to win one will depend barrier draws and how good she is on the night.
“There’s plenty of ability there and I think she’s still learning the caper.”
Kyle Harper also enjoyed a successful night at Gloucester Park, training and driving a winning double.
Harper’s first winner on the evening was the speedy Thereugo, who was able to cross to the lead from barrier seven and hold off a game Carter Michael by a short half-head.
He then teamed up with enigmatic pacer Ace Bromac later in the evening, who came with a swooping run around the outside and score a 7m win.
Tim Walker