Kempton – 15th September 2020 - Unibet 3 Uniboosts A Day Median Auction Maiden Stakes (Div II)

Kempton – 15th September 2020 – Unibet 3 Uniboosts A Day Median Auction Maiden Stakes (Div II)

Fred, Mikko and Tony joined Phil at Kempton for the third race of Silver Imperial’s career.

The owner experience was very good and the group enjoyed the evening racing ahead of Silver Imperial’s run. The first floor of the grandstand was made available to owners who were served a two-course hot meal and complimentary soft drinks all with waiter service. The access to the parade ring and race viewing were both excellent.

In the paddock, Silver Imperial seemed on edge at first but she calmed down very quickly and soon she was making her way to the start with William Carson our jockey in the saddle. There were problems all evening getting the runners loaded into the stalls, so it became a huge concern at our race when the stalls team left Silver Imperial out the back while other horses gave plenty of trouble going in and we were fearing the worst in terms of her temperament. That was totally unfounded as led up last, she walked straight into her stall good as gold!

Going in better, coming out… still not great! She jumped upwards rather than forwards at the gates and was a length adrift of those who jumped well before they had gone two strides. That meant that within half a furlong she was last of the main field except for the one that dwelt in the stalls losing several lengths. This was not where we intended for her to be placed, but William stayed calm and did not rush her forward. She moved up a little to 6th and after checking to his inside William moved her in onto the rail in that position.

Turning away from the back she was in a share of 6th and 7th, but travelling well. Nothing seemed to be coming from behind in the home straight all evening so there was however some concern about whether she could go forward from there. With the advantage of the inside of the bend, she took 5th on the turn though and she hit the home straight starting to be ridden along about 5 lengths down on the leaders.

The front three quickened away at a furlong and a half out with Silver Imperial winning the battle for 5th but two lengths down on the 4th horse. Inside the last furlong, she rallied well and came at the horse in 4th staying on in the final strides to snatch 4th on the line.

William and Michael were happy with her and felt that we should get a workable handicap mark next week. It was interesting that William suggested that we could step her up in trip and that will be considered for future races.