HUGO Palmer’s Caravan Of Love was the toast of the Toon after landing a punt in the Northumberland Plate.
Backed from 8-1 into the 9-2 favourite, he out-gunned Australis up the long Newcastle straight, always staying on best for one-time Geordie and Newcastle fan Palmer.
The four-year-old was handy through the two-mile test under jockey Harry Bentley and gave punters little to worry about, running out a cosy one-and-a-half length victor.
The 500 mile round-trip from Newmarket was well worth it, with Palmer’s Collide also grabbing third.
Palmer said: “I didn’t know which one to cheer – I was just shouting ‘go on boys!
“I’m a Newcastle United fan, I grew up just north of there, I went to university there – and the Plate is one of those races I’ve dreamt of winning.
“There aren’t many handicaps on the bucket list, but this is one of them. I’m absolutely chuffed to bits.”
It may have been a Pitmen’s Derby to remember for the yard, but with the first prize cut from £92,000 to just £24,000 due to COVID-19, the trainer might just be cursing his luck too.
He’ll be hoping the Ebor at York is worth more and he already has his eyes on the valuable prize on the Knavesmire.
Palmer added: “You’d think of the Ebor for both, but we can’t get carried away.
“Caravan Of Hope has won off 89, and he’ll need about 17lb to even get in. Collide is off 105, but wouldn’t have got in last year.
“It’s where we want to go with Collide for sure – both need give in the ground, though.
“It’s wonderful. It’s a really historic race, and I’m thrilled to have won it.”
Bentley said: “That went great, we had the perfect passage and from the wide draw I managed to get in a really good position.
“There was a bit of screaming in behind me up the straight, but you don’t mind when the trouble is behind you!
“I was always comfortable, he settled nicely and the step up in distance was perfect for him.
“It’s a long last two furlongs home here but he’s stuck that out very well.”
Bentley missed riding Limato over at Newmarket where Henry Candy’s horse proved age is just a number winning the Group 3 Criterion Stakes for the second year running.
His eight-year-old returned with a bang to bolt up in the seven furlong feature under stand-in jockey Adam Kirby.
Despite a bit of rain through the afternoon, Limato’s gears were in full working order and he returned a generous 5-1.
Candy said: “It is absolutely amazing and it has taken me back a bit. It is indescribable and just great to see, as he has got a great following.
What a day it’s turning out to be for the old boys
Limato bolts up in the Criterion Stakes at Newmarket – age is just a number, as they say…
pic.twitter.com/wbxAD1oppD
— Sun Racing (@SunRacing) June 27, 2020
“We’ll skip the July Cup as I always think the Lennox is the right race for him.
“If he stays in form that might be worth a try as the trouble they often get running around Goodwood would suit him.
“Group 2 and 3 races over seven furlongs where the ground is quick is what he wants. Quick ground is still key.”
Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.sportingexcitement.com/horse-racing/unbridled-passions-legendary-racing-figure-barney-curley-who-reveals-his-charity-work-helping-kids-in-africa
