Spanish Mission

Spanish Mission put up a really good performance to win the Bahrain Trophy in a fast time.

They did go fast early on, Severance and Kerrin McEvoy set fast early fractions, and they had a good lead as they turned for home nine furlongs out, but Jamie Spencer always looked happy on Spanish Mission. He followed Nayef Road through, then angled his horse out and asked him to pick up. When he did, Spanish Moon responded well, so much so that his rider was able to sit for a few strides upsides Nayef Road before asking him to go forward again. Spanish Moon stayed on really well all the way to the line to come clear of Nayef Road, who in turn came nicely clear of the rest.

It was a fine performance by David Simcock’s horse. This was just his fifth race ever, and it was his first over a distance in excess of a mile and three furlongs. He had run well in the Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood on his previous run, when he raced on the far side and was just overhauled late on by Private Secretary. This was a step forward from that, it was a career best. His rider said that he loved the fast ground. The original plan was to go for a valuable race at Belmont Park in America, he doesn’t even hold an entry in the St Leger. But if connections have a re-think and put him in the Leger, he would surely be a big player in the race, especially if the ground came up fast.

Newmarket, 11^th July 2019