Redcar Racecourse staged a six-race card on Friday, a precursor to their popular Ladies’ Day fixture, with the feature race being the In Loving Memory of Michael Wood Handicap, a race run in memory of the grandfather of racecourse sponsor Gary Wood. Woodsmith Construction Group are valued supporters of the Redcar Straight Mile Series, for which this race was a qualifier.

La Trinidad burst through from off the pace to take the feature, giving jockey David Nolan some anxious moments. Nolan said, “I was waiting, and I didn’t think it (a gap) was going to happen for ten strides or so, but it opened up. I know he’s seven, but he’s still got a fair bit of ability and I think Roger (Fell) fancied him today.” This was a sixth win for the Bated Breath gelding, his first since scoring from a 7lb lower mark at Doncaster last summer.

Hambleton trainer Kevin Ryan, who had earlier enjoyed Group 1 success with Inisherin in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, saddled the winner of the Celebrate The Life of Joe Newton Novice Stakes, with Midnite Storm gaining due reward for a series of consistent efforts. Ryan’s daughter Amy - partner of Tom Eaves, who was doing the steering down in Berkshire - was on hand to supervise at Redcar in her role as raceday presenter. Handicapping is next on the cards for this improving three-year-old, who did well to overcome a slow start.

The action commenced with Indie Skies getting the better of a protracted battle with Alseeyerthere in the Racing TV Free Trial Handicap. The four-year-old building on last week’s third-place finish at Chester, posting a first turf win at the fourth attempt. He holds an entry at Brighton next week, although jockey Alistair Rawlinson who told Niall Hannity of Racing TV, “He’s dug in again in the last half furlong,” expressed reservations about his ability to handle the downhill finish at that South Coast venue.

Kode Secret made every single yard of the running in the Free Racing TV at Racingtv.Com/Freetrial Handicap. The three-year-old was supplementing a Carlisle win for Tim Easterby and owner Mrs Joanne Boxcer and Partner.

Jockey David Allan explaining; “Last year he was the most laid-back horse that we had in the yard, but he’s really woke up this season.” Handling the fast ground with aplomb, and keeping on strongly, Kode Secret looks a horse to follow in similar company. Easterby and Allan later completed a double with the handicap debutant Financer in the Start Your Racing TV Free Trial Handicap.

The final race of the afternoon, the Come Racing On Ladies’ Day Tomorrow Maiden Handicap, went the way Ingleby Archie for Adrian Nicholls, Ingleby Bloodstock Limited and Paddy Mathers.

Redcar are back in action tomorrow for a day of racing, fashion, and fun on Ladies' Day. The gates open at 11.00am, and the first of seven races is scheduled for 1.45pm. Expect to see the best of Redcar's fashion on show with the Betty Leigh Boutique Fashion Show followed by the keenly contested Best Dressed Lady & Best Hat Competitions.