'It's a good start' - Owen Burrows warms up for Classic tilt with Group 2 success for Nakheel

Owen Burrows warmed up for his bid for a first Classic winner in style when Nakheel, his sole runner on the opening day of the St Leger meeting, landed the Group 2 Park Hill Fillies' Stakes.

The three-year-old made the frame on all three of her previous starts in Listed company without success, but the step up in trip, combined with the application of first-time cheekpieces, sparked a career-best performance.

The daughter of Dubawi powered clear of 11-4 favourite and eventual third Grateful approaching the furlong pole, before holding off the fast-finishing Night Sparkle by a length and a half.

Nakheel finished four lengths behind the fourth-placed Scenic in the Galtres Stakes last time, with slower conditions highlighted as a key factor in helping the 10-1 shot reverse the form.

"She certainly has appreciated that [cut in the ground] today," said Burrows, whose next runner on Town Moor will be Deira Mile in Saturday’s St Leger. "It's a good start. I hope we haven't used all our luck!"

Nakheel has no major entries and when asked if supplementing the Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum-owned filly for next month's Prix de Royallieu was a consideration, Burrows said: "From my point of view, if she's coming back into training next year, then I wouldn't be in too much of a rush to do any more.

"I'd need to speak to Sheikh Ahmed and his team and go from there."

Nakheel's victory was the first Pattern winner Burrows has trained for Sheikh Ahmed, who enjoyed a double on the card courtesy of Yaroogh's success in the 7f nursery for William Haggas and Tom Marquand.

Owen Burrows (left): delighted to train his first Pattern winner for Sheikh Ahmed Al MaktoumCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"I don't want to sound ungrateful to Shadwell but it's great to get a proper nice winner for Sheikh Ahmed because I've been knocking on the door in Listed races for him" said Burrows.

"He's been a great supporter for a number of years now, so to repay him with a Group 2 winner, especially with a filly, means a lot."

Big guns fight out £300,000 jackpot

Sometimes sales races offer different people the chance to win a huge prize. Lesser-known jockeys fight out the finish as they desperately try to land a jackpot that will make all the difference to a small yard.

This was not one of the times. The desperate finish to the Weatherbys Scientific £300,000 2-Y-O Stakes was fought out by a past and present champion jockey, the pair riding for two superpowers of the bloodstock world.

Current title-holder William Buick got the verdict on Godolphin's Hallasan, pipping Ryan Moore on Ballydoyle's Camille Pissarro by just a nose.

Hallasan (far side) beats Camille Pissarro in the sales raceCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

The winning jockey paid tribute to his mount's tenacity and said: "He was in front a long time but he kept responding, so I was delighted with him.

"He showed plenty of ability early on and he might just be fulfilling it now. It's a lovely race to win and he had to dig really deep. He's improving at the right time of year."

Trainer Charlie Appleby's assistant Alex Merriam added: "Hallasan has toughed it out well. He's a small horse and we thought he was going to be an early one, but actually he's taken a little while to come to himself. 

"I spoke to the trainer just now and he thought he might be one to take over to Dubai and see how he goes over there." 

Grey power 

Jamie Spencer shook off his reputation as a hold-up jockey by having Grey Cuban up with the pace from the off in the £70,000 1m2f handicap and driving the topweight to a length-and-a-quarter win.

Mike Edwards, head of owners for Roudee Racing, said: "He's an honest, straightforward horse, he just needs to be ridden up with the pace.

"He's an amazing horse for the syndicate. He continues to improve and this ground suited him."

Read more: 

'She's only going to get better' - potential turns into performance as Guineas hope Desert Flower blossoms 

'The cameras don't do it justice' - first Epsom ride a winner for David Noonan in unique Jump Jockeys Derby 

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