racing_news/

Windhoek Wins Millions for Mark Johnston
18/04/13

1 Windhoek 6/1
2 Greatwood 15/2
3 Ghurair EvensF
NR: Contradict
15 ran Distances: shd, nk, 1¼l
TIME 2m 1.45s (slow by 0.85s)

Mark Johnston's Windhoek held on in a tight finish to the £200,000 Tattersalls Millions 3-Y-O Trophy at Newmarket on April 18.

Windhoek
© Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photo)

Winner of his only start at Nottingham last May, the line came just in time for Joe Fanning with Luca Cumani runner Greatwood staying on to finish just a short head behind, with even-money favourite Ghurair closing himself in third.

Greatwood, ridden by Kieren Fallon, was perhaps the hard-luck story of the race, getting blocked in his run when Fallon wanted to make his move. Instead of continuing his stealthy progress from behind, Fallon was forced to snatch his mount up, angle out and then weave through horses.

That he was then only denied by a short-head will likely rankle his rider, but there will be other days for the Luca Cumani-trained, Highclere-owned three-year-old.

Ghurair, the even-money favourite, finished strongly given there were question marks over his ability to fully see out the trip. Staying on from an unlikely position inside the final furlong, he got to within a neck of Greatwood at the finish.

But those expecting a reversal of form should Windhoek and Greatwood reoppose may want to take heed of Johnston's thoughts, as he feels there is a lot more to come from his charge, while Fanning said: "Two and half out he took me there, and he just got a bit tired."

"He fractured a pastern and then got a foot abscess, which wouldn't go away and he was 30kg overweight," said Johnston.

"I think he'll come on a lot for that. I'll have to talk to the owner but the Dante Stakes is certainly on the cards."

200,000 Tattersalls Millions 3-Y-O Trophy
£205,154 added, 3yo only, 1m 2f, Class 2
15 ran
Going: Good to Firm