REX AND TREATY PART OF HOLLAND’S TOWCESTER FOUR-TIMER

Ian Fortune

Graham Holland and his Riverside Kennels operation were on fire once again at Towcester on Sunday afternoon, sending out four winners in the numerous Derby Trial Stakes, including two of their stars, Swords Rex and Clonbrien Treaty.

REX RETURNS IN STYLE

The performance of Swords Rex would have been particularly satisfying for Holland as the son of Droopys Sydney was having his first run in five months. Just two months shy of his fourth birthday, Swords Rex lowered the colours of English Derby favourite King Memphis with a typically razor-sharp display.

Breaking smartly, he displayed fine acceleration to lead his rivals around the turn. King Memphis turned second and did all he could to bridge the gap but was never getting to Swords Rex, who held on to score by a half length in 28.93. Given the circumstances, you would imagine Swords Rex will only come on for the outing, while it’ clear his love for Towcester remains strong. Hawkfield Blue was third in the same contest, beaten five lengths. The Ginger McGee trained star was forced to check at the turn and is another that will improve for the run.

TREATY IMPRESSES

Clonbrien Treaty maintained a middle to wide path to win his outing. The Easter Cup champion ran a tremendous second turn to skip clear of his rivals before emerging a comfortable three parts of a length winner over King Sydney in 29.29. There is far better to come from the winner as he acclimatizes to the Northamptonshire venue. The Ginger McGee trained Hawkfield Abbie was fourth.

PINGU AND PORT OBLIGE

The opening leg of the Holland four-timer came as Riverside Pingu made all in the fourth race on the card. The son of Newinn Taylor emerged a length to the good over Droopys Vivacity in 29.29.

Newinn Port was the last of Holland’s four winners. The son of Kinloch Brae stayed on strongly to lead on the run in for a half length verdict over Salacres Tipster in 29.29.

SEAN, KINGPIN AND FUDGE MAKE FRAME

Elsewhere on the card, Faypoint Sean displayed promise in defeat when staying on strongly in second after early traffic. He was beaten just a neck by Keefill Goose in 29.31.

Romeo Kingpin found the rampant Queen Joni too hot in Division 2 of the Derby Trial Stakes. The latter flew around in a stunning 28.67 with Romeo Kingpin never threatening as he finished third, some ten and a quarter lengths behind the winner.

Swords Fudge was second in his contest. He went up fast but was headed at the third turn by Bluejig Baron. Swords Fudge did rally but went down by a length in 29.35.