Racing

UPBEAT ABOUT UPTOWN

Trainer Justine Erkelens and jockey Shaun O’Donnell continued their good recent form together when Uptown Funk made it three wins from her last four starts, at Belmont yesterday.

In an arrogant ride, by O’Donnell, the filly overpowered favourite, and pacemaker, Beaucount, in the last stride to win the fifth race, (1200m) by a short head. Kentucky Lass was third.

Erkelens did not race Uptown Funk as a two year old but as a three year old the filly, described as ‘naughty’ by the trainer, has really run into good form.

O’Donnell said he was in two minds on the home turn whether to stay on the inside or switch to the outside before deciding on the latter. “If she had got held up she would have been beaten. “It is knowing what you have got under you,” he said.

O’Donnell said the filly was a real grinder and he expected her to appreciate more ground and progress further.

In a week when the mercurial rider said good bye to champion Luckygray (retired), his favourite galloper, O’Donnell said he still got a buzz from winning for new owners as well as for trainers like Erkelens, with whom he has had a long association. “I was riding for Justine when she had a couple of camels running around. She has been loyal to me and I have been to her.”

Erkelens has had five winners this month, on city and provincial tracks, including doubles at Northam and Belmont with O’Donnell on four of them.

One of Ekelens other riders, Peter Knuckey finished the day ‘with a wet sail,’ by landing a double in the last two races with Our Finest Moment and Bonnie Zara, respectively.

Knuckey ignored instructions, to get off the fence as soon as possible, aboard the Raquel Mills trained Our Finest Moment. Having drawn barrier one Knuckey’s previous knowledge of ultimate runner-up, Muskets At Dawn, was instrumental in the win.

Knuckey knew he would lay off the rails, around the turn, and when he did the jockey pushed Our Finest Moment along the fence to victory.

In the last race, in a three way thriller, Knuckey on Bonny Zara just edged out Ellie Cockram, aboard Hedlander Boy (rails), with Lucy Warwick (centre), a whisker away, in third place, on Ready to Fire.