Remmooz secures narrow Cup success at Newbury

Remmooz got the better of his main market rival Volterra in an enthralling final-furlong tussle in the Dubai Duty Free Cup Stakes at Newbury.

Trained by Owen Burrows, the three-year-old had run well to finish fourth in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot on what was just his third ever run.

He landed a nice pot at York in July before finishing third over a mile to Bullet Point at the Ebor meeting and he was up in class but down in trip for this seven-furlong Listed event.

Kevin Ryan’s Volterra and Spy Chief, who was second in the Jersey, ensured there was a stiff gallop throughout and Callum Rodriguez had a couple of lengths to find on Remmooz (13-8 favourite) with just over a furlong to run.

It looked for much of the closing stages as if Volterra was going to hold off Remmooz, but his proven stamina kicked in to win by a head.

Burrows said: “He’s still a bit raw and I thought two furlongs out he would go and win quite nicely but then he had to knuckle down and grind it out a little bit.

“We’ve just got away with seven furlongs today, Callum said, and that will do him now. The plan was always to put him away after this and we know we’ll be looking away at a mile next year also knowing he’s better on quicker ground than it was today.

“We won’t go jumping him up too quick next season and we’ll see how he does over the winter and works in the spring and make a plan then.

“He lacked a bit of experience when he ran in the Jersey Stakes earlier in the season and at York last time, but he’s a fine, big horse who is only going to get better with another winter on his back and he is one to definitely look forward to.”

It proved well worth the journey to Newbury for Rodriguez, who made his one ride of the afternoon a successful one, as he continues the fine association he is building this term with Burrows.

Rodriguez said: “He’s a talented horse this lad and had a good season. This looked a nice race for him and always looked like it would set-up nicely and it was a great performance, he showed a very good attitude.

“I’ve teamed up really well with Owen, especially this season, and we’ve had a lot of luck together so long may it continue.”