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'Our expectations weren't fantastic' - shock Group winner thrills veteran owner

Hollie Doyle and Romantic Time: surprise winners of the Dick Poole Stakes
Hollie Doyle and Romantic Time: surprise winners of the Dick Poole StakesCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Owner-breeder Elizabeth Haynes believes the Dick Poole Fillies' Stakes provided her with a first after 70 years in the sport – a Group-winning two-year-old in the shape of Romantic Time, who landed the Group 3 at odds of 28-1 under Hollie Doyle.

"I'm thrilled," said Haynes, whose husband Denis died in 2012. "Our expectations weren't fantastic because she was racing against fillies who beat her at Newbury last time, but it's a huge thrill for the stud and all the people there."

Haynes, Sir Michael Stoute's longest-standing owner, joked she had been in the sport "forever", and added: "I'm over 90 now, so 70 years at least and I haven't had many Group winners, certainly not a two-year-old. We're mad about Hollie – she's brilliant."

Romantic Time is trained in Cambridgeshire by William Stone, who farmed wild boars before turning his attention to thoroughbreds.

Cole on a high

The biggest smile on course belonged to Morgan Cole after she steered Piselli Molli to victory in the apprentice handicap.

Cole, who is based with the three-year-old's trainer Sir Mark Prescott, said: "It's good working there. It's very rewarding and Sir Mark's a fair man. The job can be hard as everyone probably knows, but it's definitely worth it from my point of view.

Morgan Cole: was all smiles after scoring aboard Piselli Molli
Morgan Cole: was all smiles after scoring aboard Piselli MolliCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

"I've been there since the start of the year and was with Marco Botti before that. It was actually Marco who sent me in to ride work at Sir Mark's one Tuesday and I ended up leaving and going there."

The 21-year-old, a British Racing School graduate who was around horses growing up in Hertfordshire but is not from a racing family, added: "Things couldn't be going any better and that's seven winners now. The target would be to get as many as I can. This is my best year and it's all thanks to Sir Mark, so as long as I keep working hard, I'm sure things will work out well."

Sponsored by Byerley Stud, the contest was the last of a five-race apprentice series at the track and Liam Browne topped the standings, earning the £1,500 first prize.

Good girl

New York-based fashion pioneer Andrew Rosen may come across a few divas in his industry, but trainer Ralph Beckett praised the temperament of Good American, who made a winning debut in the owner's distinctive pink and lime silks in the 7f fillies' maiden.

Good American: struck on her debut for Ralph Beckett
Good American: struck on her debut for Ralph BeckettCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

"I was saying to her owner's representative I wish all of my two-year-olds walked around the paddock like that first time out – she showed herself really well in the prelims and has been professional throughout," said Beckett, thrilled to saddle a winner for Rosen.

"I had quite a good filly for him a few years ago called September Stars, who went to America and was a Listed winner out there. I've had a few for him, but it's been a while since I trained him a winner, so it's good, really good. Andrew is a huge enthusiast."


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Lambourn correspondent

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