3 minute read
Atzeni and Aberama Gold (18/1) teamed up to take the feature Stewards' Cup on the final day of Glorious Goodwood.
Aberama Gold's stablemate Summerghand was withdrawn at the start while Rumstar unseated Rhys Clutterbuck on leaving the stalls.
The loose Rumstar was always handy among runners and made his way to the head of affairs inside the final furlong, in the process giving Andrea Atzeni and Aberama Gold the perfect target to aim at.
The field was spread wide across the track throughout, but the action unfolded down the centre of the course and Aberama Gold could always be seen travelling sweetly under a confident-looking Atzeni. The Sardinian-born rider held onto his mount until as late as possible and used the riderless Rumstar to guide him to victory over the staying on Apollo One, who finished three-quarters of a length behind having had to make his own running against the near side rail.
Kevin Ryan's Bielsa once again proved his worth in big-race handicaps with an excellent run back in third under Ryan Moore while Mr Wagyu finished back in fourth. Aleezdancer filled the fifth spot.
It was just Aberama Gold's third start for David O'Meara after joining upon Keith Dalgleish's retirement from the training ranks.
Winning trainer David O'Meara said: "Owner Evan Sutherland said he'd handle the ground better than most and he was right. I watched it inside and I saw it very clearly really, the loose horse was a bit of a concern early doors, but late on might have been a bit of a help.
"It was very straightforward, he travelled well, the last half a furlong felt like a long way, but the loose horse might have been a help. Andrea said the horse travelled beautifully for him; you could keep filling him when those around him were coming off the bridle.
"For a big heritage handicap like that Andrea described it as going pretty easily.
"I have inherited a very good horse from Keith Dalgleish. It is his third start for me now, I can't take a great deal of credit for him. His owner and former trainer know him far better than I do, but I am lucky enough to have him today.
"We are going to miss him [Keith Dalgleish]; he will be a loss to Scottish racing, and it could just have easily been him standing here.
"The Ayr Gold Cup will be a good target and between now and then I am not certain as there is a bit of time, it is seven weeks to Ayr.
"I will speak to Evan he is very good at figuring out where he likes to campaign his horses.
"He is not just a mudlark, but he probably wouldn't want it rattling fast.
"This is one of the most valuable handicaps in the calendar, £250,000 total purse today and think the same as the Balmoral, brilliant isn't it.
"When the horse transferred to me Evan said to make sure the horse had this entry."
Atzeni, who was riding his third winner of the week, said: "It was pretty straightforward for me, but the only thing I would say is that the horse-drawn in 16 tried to go under [the stalls] and became loose. I was aware of that, but we got a nice toe into the race and my horse travelled well. It's hard going out there, but when I let him down, he picked up. It was the longest final furlong.
"The loose horse gave me something to aim at, but you never know what he might have done, and I was just aware in case he came across me - luckily he didn't.
"I never regret anything in my life, and I made the decision [to ride in Hong Kong] a little while back. I'm looking forward to it and taking each day as it comes, and it's a great result to win this race."
