Sugar Sugar completes a clean sweep for Opulence Thoroughbreds
Thursday finished with the perfect bow to top of an incredible week, as Sugar Sugar got off the mark at Epsom on her handicap debut.
A thrilling battle down the Epsom straight, with our filly driven out by George Bass to get up and score by a neck in a real nail biting finish. She'd shown a progressive profile in her earlier starts, being beaten 3 lengths second on her previous start by a smart improver, suggesting this was coming, and it was brilliant to see her get the job done when it mattered.
Sugar Sugar is a filly with plenty of character and has required a patient approach both at home and on the track. Jockey George Bass has built up a strong partnership with her, having experienced her difficult moments in the preliminaries, including being unseated at both Brighton and Wolverhampton going down to the stalls. She now benefits from going down early to the start, while an eye shield helps her focus during her races.
Having been particularly tricky early in her career, she has made significant progress and showed her class at Epsom. Despite not being ideally suited by the undulating track, her ability put her above her rivals, whilst her competitive nature saw her lock onto the favourite in the final strides and get her head out in front.
It was a week that showcased everything we value at Opulence Thoroughbreds - patience, teamwork and the belief that every horse has their own journey. Three winners from three runners made for a hugely rewarding end to July, and we’re excited to see what the rest of the season brings.
Congratulations to all winning connections, huge credit to the Jack Channon Racing team and to George Bass for another well judged ride. Weeks like this don't come around often, and we thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it!
Timeform Review:
Time: 69.71s Closing Sectional: (3.00f): 33.02s
SUGAR SUGAR (IRE) isn't all that straightforward but has ability and got off the mark at the fourth time of asking making handicap debut, not for the first time showing a tendency to lug left, though the track didn't help in that regard, but she still knuckled down well at the business end; in touch, switched over 1f out, in narrow second when hung left last ½f, edged ahead late on; can rate higher still if she becomes more professional with her racing; she's got a few options to run under a penalty in the coming days.
A run-of-the-mill handicap that went to one of the less-exposed runners, Sugar Sugar not keeping straight but still managing to find enough to get up late on from an older rival who posted a solid effort, the third not seen best effect having met trouble.