2012 Middle Park Stakes

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Astaire Dances Away with Middle Park Prize
12/10/13

1 Astaire 8/1
2 Hot Streak 5/1
3 Justice Day 22/1
NR: Bahamian Heights, Saayerr, Shamshon (IRE)
10 ran Distances: ½l, 1½l, 1¼l
TIME 1m 12.33s (slow by 2.03s)

Astaire put up an ultra-game performance when making all the running to land the Vision.ae Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket.

Astaire
© Racehorse Photos

Winner of the Gimcrack Stakes on his previous start, the Kevin Ryan-trained colt gained a couple of lengths on his rivals when accelerating two furlongs out, but the 8-1 shot was pushed hard in the final furlong by his stablemate Hot Streak.

He was still half a length ahead at the line, however, with Justice Day a length and a half further away in third, while Aidan O'Brien's 2-1 favourite Great White Eagle never threatened and was a big disappointment.

The winning trainer and jockey were completing the Gimcrack/Middle Park double for a second time after teaming up with Amadeus Wolf in 2005.

Callan told Channel 4 Racing: "He seems very tough and genuine. I've not sat on him since the Gimcrack and I said to his lad he'd grown and was a stronger horse. All credit to Kevin.

"He jumped and travelled good and all he was doing was looking at the camera and that's why he drifted. Each run, he's become more relaxed."

Ryan added: "In fairness, it's a shame one had to get beat. I thought going into the Dip that Hot Streak might pick him up, but Hot Streak got a bit warm today and maybe he's had enough for this year.

"He's a lot more relaxed even though he was making the running and from that draw (13) Neil was always going to make it. At home he sits in in all his work and is a relaxed horse.

"Five furlongs is probably Hot Streak's trip, so we will be looking at sprinting with him next year, and I'm sure Astaire will get seven furlongs or a mile. They are two exciting horses for next year."

Vision.ae Middle Park Stakes (Group 1)
£170000.00 added, 2yo only, 6f, Class 1
10 ran
Good to Soft, Good in places