By Tom Frary
Carrying a seven-pound penalty for his taking debut win at Newmarket last month, Wathnan Racing's Defence Minister (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}–Tears Of The Sun {GB}, by Mastercraftsman {Ire}) shrugged off the extra burden to win decisively in his six-furlong novice at Haydock on Thursday. Settled behind the leaders early by James Doyle, the 11-8 favourite surged to the front inside the final furlong for a 1 1/2-length defeat of Arabian Angel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}).
The Hamad Al Jehani trainee, who was a €210,000 Tattersalls Ireland Goresbridge Breeze Up purchase, is out of a listed-placed daughter of the Listed Rosemary Stakes winner Perfect Star (GB) (Act One {GB}), whose leading progeny is the G3 Prestige Stakes winner Kilmah (GB) (Sepoy {Aus}). Her filly foal is by Ten Sovereigns (Ire).
Strong form 💪
Defence Minister makes it 2-2 in what looked on paper a good little novice event @haydockraces.
The winner looks a very smart juvenile 🟦🟥🟧@BritishEBF | @the_doyler pic.twitter.com/4UYpJbyh65
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 5, 2024
5th-Haydock, £14,000, Novice, 9-5, 2yo, c/g, 6fT, 1:13.87, g/s.
DEFENCE MINISTER (GB) (c, 2, Too Darn Hot {GB}–Tears Of The Sun {GB} {SP-Eng}, by Mastercraftsman {Ire}) Sales history: 20,000gns Ylg '23 TADEY; €210,000 2yo '24 TATBRU. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $15,623.
O-Wathnan Racing; B-Mildmay Bloodstock Ltd (GB); T-Hamad Al Jehani.
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