Que Amoro goes one better at Ayr as racing returns to Scotland

Michael Dods’ filly powers to victory in sprint

Que Amoro and jockey Paul Mulrennan, left, after winning the EBF Land Of Burns Fillies Stakes at Ayr Racecourse. Picture: Steve Davies/PA Wire

The EBF Land O’Burns Fillies’ Stakes Listed race has produced some great winners over the years and, on the day racing returned to Scotland, Que Amoro gave a stunning performance.

The last time Michael Dods’ four-year-old filly was seen was in a Listed contest at Ayr in September when she finished second but this time the result was never in doubt .

Jockey Paul Mulrennan had her handily placed throughout the five furlong sprint and she powered clear to win by three lengths from Irish raider American Lady at odds of 3-1.

Mulrennan knows a thing or two about winning this race having steered Marsha to victory in 2016 before that horse went on to Group One glory at York and Chantilly before being sold for a record 6,000,000 guineas.

Mulrennan said: “Michael (Dods) also had Queen’s Gift in the race and I was given the choice of what to ride and got it right.

“She was always travelling well and put it to bed some way out. She has been working well at home but will come on for that. I think we have found another really good one in her. I’m sure Michael will have plans for her.

“It was great to be back racing at Ayr and the track was in great condition and a credit to the ground staff and we were well looked after.”

Ayrshire-born Danny Tudhope made a winning return to his home county even though the stands were empty, when he drove the Keith Dalgleish-trained Volatile Analyst, the 4-11 favourite, to a neck win over Benefit Street in the Jordan Electrics Novice Stakes over six furlongs.

This was the three year old colt’s third racecourse appearance having won over course and distance on his debut in August and come a creditable fourth in the Group Two Richmond Stakes at Goodwood. Tudhope said afterwards: “I’ve ridden this horse on all his starts and he’s a nice sort. He’s had his issues since his Goodwood run and Keith has done well with him. He wasn’t fully wound up today and there’s more to come.”

Uplawmoor trainer Jim Goldie celebrated his first winner of the Flat season in the Class Two Jordan Electrics Handicap when course specialist Nicholas T won his 
seventh race at the track.

Given a great ride by jockey Kevin Scott, who rode a Royal Ascot double, Nicholas T hit the front inside the final furlong to win by three quarters of a length at 17-2. Goldie said :”What a horse. He adores this track and that’s another good prize for him to win. I was very happy with that.”

There was a third Scottish based winner when Glasses Up got up to beat Club Wexford in the mile Handicap, ending a long barren spell for Mike Smith.

The delighted trainer admittted: “That’s a monkey off my back. Jockey Paddy Mathers brought him out at the right time and that was a good performance. That’s the fourth time the horse has won at Ayr and he only cost me £2,000.”

Trainer Richard Fahey and jockey Tony Hamilton teamed up to win the opening race, a six-furlongsmaiden for two year-olds, coming home at odds of 3-1 by half a length from Summa Peto. Odds-on favourite Meshakel could only finish third.

Mr Wagyu looked very well handicapped running off a mark 16lbs lighter than his last winning rating and so it proved in the Al Maktoum College Handicap when he justified favouritism at odds of 100-30 winning by a neck from Goldie’s Be Proud.

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