Pure Poetry

There was a lot to like about the manner of Pure Poetry’s win in the Easter Stakes at Kempton on Saturday. The pace was fairly frenetic through the first furlong and a half as Saint Arch and Sohcahtoa duelled for the early lead, but they steadied it down after two furlongs, with the result that there was a little bit of trouble in behind. Pure Poetry, in particular, got caught on heels a little as Shampagne drifted in towards the rail.

That could have been enough to end the Hannon horse’s chance, but he was soon back on an even keel. He hunted the leaders up into the home straight, travelling well but trapped in behind a wall of horses. However, as soon as a gap opened a furlong out, Pure Poetry showed a really nice turn of foot under minimum encouragement from Hughes to join Shampagne and quickly go a neck up. Hughes wasn’t overly hard on him inside the last 150 yards, he just kept him going all the way to the line to get home by a head in the end.

This race used to be a Guineas trial. Pure Poetry is probably a fair way from Guineas standard, but this was still a nice performance on his first try at a mile. For a horse whose two wins last season were over six furlongs, he saw out this mile well and there should be more races in him over seven furlongs and a mile.

11th April 2009