By Sam Turner -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Obaid Al Maktoum, who went so close to success in the 2000 Guineas with gallant runner-up Rosallion, witnessed a brilliant Newmarket’s Guineas meeting improve still further when Karl Burke trainee Liberty Lane, partnered by Clifford Lee, handed his owner a fourth success in two days in the Suffolk Stakes.
The winner had disappointed in the Lincoln Handicap when fancied back in March, but there were excuses that day and he bounced back in style upped in trip on a better surface at HQ.
Winning trainer Burke said: "He came back sick from the Lincoln, he scoped very dirty afterwards and was a sick horse for two or three weeks. The only reason I ran him today was because Sheikh Obaid was going to be here and it was a £100,000 race, we'd entered earlier and he was just coming back to himself.
"It's a pleasant surprise. I thought he'd run well but I didn't expect that. The key to this horse is that he's learnt to relax in his races now, he's always been very keen. He ran here behind Ed Walker's horse in a Derby trial last year, then I ran him in the Dante and he ran too free and he still led the Dante field to a furlong and a half out.
"Today Cliff (Lee, jockey) gave him a lovely ride, got him in a great rhythm, and he showed what he can do but he will improve."
SCOTT SPEEDSTER ANSWER THE QUESTIONS
Seven Questions, unplaced when last seen in the Dubai Trophy at Meydan back in February, displayed the benefit of a winter in the Gulf with a shock win in the G3 Palace House Stakes for trainer George Scott and rider Callum Shepherd.
The three-year-old landed a hat-trick last season before heading to Meydan for three races in January and February this year.
And he was back in the winner’s enclosure here after a thrilling finish which saw Charlie Fellowes’ Vadream beaten by just a head and Karl Burke’s Beautiful Diamond, owned by Sheik Rashed bin Dalmook Al Maktoum, a further short head back in third.
Scott explained: “It’s been a big team effort with this horse as he’s as quirky as they come.
“He spent the night as the racecourse last night as we know when he gets on the horsebox, he gets very stirred up. So, he had an away night about half a mile from his stable.
“We saddled him about an hour ago and brought him down – he was trying to kick everyone. He’s a talented horse on his day and got a brilliant ride.
“He’s too much for me to handle so I went to watch City Of Troy warm up instead! But often those horses are the most talented. It’s been great this season and as I say, it’s a real team effort.
“We’ve got some great owners; those we’ve had a long time and some new ones. It’s a long season and we won’t be resting on our laurels but it’s lovely to get a winner like this.
LOVE CONQUERS ALL
Unequal Love landed a fifth win from just eight career starts by taking the opening race on Guineas day, the Listed EBF Ellen Chaloner Stakes over six furlongs under Tom Marquand.
The Cheveley Park Stud-homebred four-year-old reversed the form with runner-up Funny Story, who triumphed on the Rowley Mile back in October.
Winning trainer William Haggas said: “I don’t’ think she wants the ground too firm or too soft. She will go to the Curragh now for the Greenlands Stakes on Irish 2,000 Guineas Day. It is against the boys but there is no point putting her in there and then not running.
“She has won a Listed race and has black type now, so hopefully it’s onwards and upwards.”
