Austintatious leaves Dettori over the moon at Kempton

Published on Monday 5 May 2008 23:39

AUSTINTATIOUS, who had the misfortune of bumping into Vodafone Derby favourite Twice Over at the end of last season, had little trouble in winning his maiden at Kempton yesterday.

Brian Meehan's colt now carries the international red and green silks of Team Valor and is entered in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. That may be a little ambitious at this stage but after rearing in the stalls, the 4-9 favourite was not troubled under Frankie Dettori to land his maiden by a length and quarter from Visions Of Johanna.

Meehan's representative Patrick MacEwan said: "Frankie was over the moon with him and said he was very fresh. He's a very nice horse and will go on from this."

Division two of the maiden was taken even more easily by another short-priced favourite, the 1-2 shot Khateeb. He was faultless in winning by eight lengths in the hands of Richard Hills.

At the Curragh meanwhile, Capt Chaos dented a few reputations when landing the Aussie Rules European Breeders Fund Tetrarch Stakes.

At 9-1 the outsider of the five runners, Eddie Lynam's colt was short of room inside the two pole but Chris Hayes did not panic and his mount burst through just over a furlong out. Long-time leader Great War Eagle, representing Aidan O'Brien and Johnny Murtagh, tried to fight back but Capt Chaos held him to score by a length and three-quarters.

The Oratorio EBF Athasi Stakes saw an even bigger shock as 33-1 chance Prima Luce struck for Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning. Mick Channon's Silver Touch was sent off 11-4 favourite but could manage only eighth.

O'Brien's Mastercraftsman (5-1) defied negative market vibes to make a winning start to his career in the Antonius Pius EBF Maiden.

Murtagh found a nice gap and the Danehill Dancer colt picked up nicely under just hands and heels to score by half a length from Duc De Savoie.

Cashmans gave the winner a 10-1 quote for the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot.

British raider Regime (5-1) landed the spoils in a pulsating finish to the High Chaparral EBF Mooresbridge Stakes. Always held in high regard, the Michael Bell-trained colt had finished second at this course in the Goffs Million as a two-year-old.

Pat Smullen's mount overhauled Alarazi in the final furlong and eventually held that rival by a head, although Mores Wells and Hasanka were just another neck and short-head away in third and fourth.