Sunday 18 February 2018

Burke Keen on Mount Ararat

A trainer always worth noting is Karl Burke. Spigott Lodge, Middleham, has been a starting point for a number of exceptional talents including Quiet Reflection in the ownership of Ontoawinner syndicate. Unsurprisingly, this daughter of Showcasing was identified by Group Horse long before making her winning debut at Hamilton when storming clear of the field by five lengths. 

Last season, saw a number of talented two-year-olds including Havana Grey who proved a durable, flashy colt winning four of his eight races. This Irish-bred son of Havana Gold is out of a four-time winning mare, trained by Peter Makin. Interesting to note that in twenty races, she never raced beyond five furlongs. Havana Gold was never out of the first two in all his starts bar disappointing in the Norfolk Stakes (Group 2). Three second places beaten less than two lengths. A victory in the Bombay Sapphire Molecombe Stakes (Group 3) [going away at the finish] showed a gutsy colt who played second fiddle to stablemate Unfortunately in the Darley Prix Morny (Group 1) Deauville, France. He concluded his formative season when runner-up to Heartache by half a length in the the Flying Childers (Group 2) at Doncaster. 

Looking at Burke's entered juveniles, a couple are still to set foot on course. 

Mount Ararat is a bay colt in the familiar racing silks of H Strecker and Mrs E Burke. This Irish-bred son of Sea The Stars cost 120,000G at the yearling sales. He was given a Royal Lodge Stakes (Group 2) entry at two and presently holds an Epson Derby (Group 1) entry. This is just one of two horses the stable entered fro this race. Mount Ararat is worth noting when making his debut and especially on second start.

Another three-year-old who wasn't seen at two is Play Mate who is owned by Clipper Logistics Ltd. This bay daughter of Showcasing cost 62,000G as a foal.