Mill Reef and Middle Park in the mix after Adrian Keatley trains first Group winner since switch to Britain

Adrian Keatley celebrated his first Group-level success since relocating from Ireland to Britain in 2020 as Symbol Of Strength defied market weakness to land the Unibet Sirenia Stakes. 

Keatley, who landed the Irish 1,000 Guineas with Jet Setting in 2016, has been on an upward trajectory since moving to Malton from the Curragh and took the next step up the ladder with a horse who finished third in the Gimcrack at York last time out. 

"It's nice to get our first Group race over the line since we came over here," said Keatley. "I was nervous watching and could tell he hated the surface. It was very slow and the quicker the ground the better. Tom Marquand said when he got there he was having a look around and that there was plenty left in the tank so it's onwards and upwards."

The next step could well be the Group 2 Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury on September 21 but the Group 1 Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes seven days later is also on the table.

"It will very much depend on the ground," said the trainer. "He's in the Mill Reef and the Middle Park and all the doors are open to him now. We'll be looking closely at Newbury but his form is right up there with horses who are well up the pecking order for the Middle Park. I think we're entitled to be thinking about those races."

Symbol Of Strength was sent off at 80-1 in the Gimcrack but Keatley has always held the son of Kodiac in the highest regard.

He added: "I couldn't believe his price in the Gimcrack and couldn't stop backing him each-way. He's not just a two-year-old either and could get seven furlongs no problem."    

Whitcombe shows star quality

Whitcombe Rockstar, who less than a year ago was plying his trade over a mile and six furlongs, made it five wins from his last six starts since dropping back to a mile when capturing the Unibet London Mile Series Final Handicap.  

Trained among a team predominantly made up of jumpers at Keiran Burke's yard in South Dorset, Whitcombe Rockstar overcame the widest draw in stall 14 to prevail under a positive ride from Josephine Gordon, who was taking her record to four wins from six rides aboard Michelle Crook's homebred.   

"He's a legend," said Burke. "This is massive for us and a bit of a fairytale really. I've taken a while to learn about him and I was probably trying to make him into a hurdler to be honest but he's improved loads this year.

"Josephine has been brilliant for us. She's stuck with us and loyalty goes a long way, while Michelle bred him and has thrown a lot of money into the game, so it's a big deal all round."

Gordon took the bull by the horns leaving the stalls and, as the pace slackened soon after the start, found herself in an ideal position close to the lead. 

"We had to go forward and it worked out well because we didn't really go all that quick," said the winning rider. "They steadied it up and then he quickened away. Kieran and Michelle have been a huge support for the last year or two and I've ridden a lot of winners for them. It's a family-orientated team and it's a special day."

Starring role for Drama

Drama landed the Unibet London Sprint Series Final Handicap with the minimum of fuss to delight members of the winning Highclere Thoroughbred syndicate, who were out in force at Kempton.

The winner qualified for the series finale when winning over course and distance in June and it was not by coincidence that he came into the final fit and fresh after a 53-day break. 

"He was a little bit disappointing on his last run and, as Tom Marquand said, he just felt as if he'd had a couple of runs in quick succession and lacked that kick," said winning trainer James Ferguson.  

"Either way, this was the obvious choice having won here before and the team at home have done a great job freshening him up. This was a great opportunity but I'd love to get him on a bit of soft ground now. He's run plenty of good races on the turf and I think he's pretty versatile."

Read more...

'The sky's the limit' - Kalpana heading to the top after dominating September Stakes 

'That was pretty easy, wasn't it?' - The Reverend has connections singing his praises after impressive win 

Sign up to receive On The Nose, our essential daily newsletter, from the Racing Post. Your unmissable morning feed, direct to your email inbox every morning.