ED Bethell’s Oviedo is Royal Ascot bound after becoming the first three-year-old in 27 years to win the Racing TV Zetland Gold Cup.
The Middleham-trained winner, ridden by Callum Rodriguez, was landing the historic race six years after Bethell’s father, James, won it in spectacular fashion with Briardale.
Bethell immediately said the Lope De Vega colt would be aimed at either the Hampton Court Stakes or Golden Gates Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Oviedo, owned by Fiona Carmichael and bred by Ballyinch Stud, was third to Two Thousand Guineas winner Chaldean in the Acomb Stakes at York as a two-year-old.
The trainer said: “He’s always promised to be a good horse and we’ll decide which Royal Ascot race he goes for when we see what the handicapper does.
“If he hadn’t idled in front, he would probably have won by a bit further. It’s nice to emulate dad but I think this horse is better than Briardale!
“I like having winners at Redcar. It’s a very fair track and to win one of their premier races is always exciting.”
Andrew Balding’s City Streak finished second but was no match for the winner.
Jockey Thore Hammer Hansen sees no reason why Hala Emaraaty, trained at Newmarket by Alice Haynes, shouldn't also have a tilt at Royal Ascot, after impressing in The Celebration of Tom Hamilton’s Life EBF Restricted Novice Stakes.
The Kodiac colt was following up a debut win at Ripon on heavy ground earlier this month.
“He’s a nice type and put the race to bed quickly despite still being a bit green, so I’m very happy with that,” said Hansen. “I think he’d prefer more juice in the ground but I like him a lot. Royal Ascot has to be a possibility – maybe something like the Windsor Castle Stakes.”
County Durham trainer Michael Dods continues to have a cracking May, and Sparkling Red gave him his 14th winner of the month in the Market Cross Jewellers Handicap under Connor Beasley.
Dods had a winner with Zuffolo at the last Redcar meeting and three of the same owners – Ian Davison, Roger Saunders, and Geoff Thompson – were celebrating again with Sparkling Red.
The filly battled well to outgun Tim Easterby’s Storm Fox and Dods said: “The ground at Thirsk last time was too soft and it was a hot race. She’s done it well today – she likes to get on with it and she’s speedy.”
Easterby had better luck when Happier showed a great attitude under David Allan in the Racing TV Restricted Maiden Stakes.
"I couldn't be happier!" said the Malton handler after Habton Racing's game filly stayed on well to deny Grant Tuer’s Rooska.
Easterby said: "She's a really tough filly with a fantastic attitude and there's definitely more to come."
A recent back operation seems to have worked wonders for Danzart, who has now won two races in nine days after landing the Redcarracing.co.uk Handicap for Lancashire trainer Stella Barclay.
The Dandy Man gelding won at Thirsk earlier this month and followed up comfortably in the hands of Sam James.
The trainer revealed that the horse had undergone a back operation a few months ago and it had made a big difference. She paid tribute to Oakhill Veterinary Centre for their work in getting Danzart’s problem rectified.
She said: “I’m totally amazed. The back operation has clearly paid off, but it’s taken a while for him to regain his confidence. We thought he needed cut in the ground, but he’s proved us wrong. I’m sure there’s another race in him before long.”
The horse is owned by best friends Carl Pye and Gary Prescott, who both come from Widnes. Gary is a director of the CLP Group FS Limited, which carries out maintenance on social housing for local authorities, while Gary is managing director of Quality Mix Concrete.
Carl said: “We bought him from Mick Channon and he’s done us proud. The back operation has made a difference and fitting him with a hood has also helped.”
Eeetee, ridden by Danny Tudhope and trained at Upper Helmsley by David O’Meara, made it four career wins in the Jacks Coaches Handicap.
The gelding is owned by Gallop Racing and syndicate member Brian Jones said: "He ran badly at York last time but he had his perfect conditions today. He needs to be buried away amongst horses and Danny was struggling to get a gap at one stage.
“He came over from France and took a year to acclimatise but he’s given us an amazing amount of fun.”
Sarah de Crespigny might have set a Redcar record for the longest distance travelled to cheer home a Redcar winner after flying in from Australia to see Bearwith win the Racing Again Tomorrow On Racing TV Hcap (Division One).
Sarah’s mother Sally Carey is a member of The Rise One Partnership, which owns the grey gelding.
Trained by Harriet Bethell and ridden by Cam Hardie, the son of Brazen Beau battled admirably to outstay Richard Fahey’s The New Marwan.
Sarah, who lives in Victoria, said: “I timed the visit specially to see the horse run and it’s made the long journey worthwhile!”
Harriet Bethell’s mother, Liddy, said: “He’s a grand sort and he’s done us proud. We weren’t expecting anything at Newcastle last time but he flew home, and Cam rode a great race here.”
Iron Sheriff outbattled Bollin Margaret to win the final race of the day, the Racing Again Tomorrow On Racing TV Handicap (Div 2).
North Yorkshire trainer Roger Fell was full of praise for 3lbs claimer Jonny Peate, saying: “I thought he gave the horse a great ride.”
The winner is likely to turn out quickly at Hamilton Park on Wednesday.
“You might as well strike while they’re in form,” said Fell.
