It might have been a mixed bag in terms of the recent weather, but July continues to be a hot month for Grace Harris (photographed), who enjoyed another two winners last week.
Harris’ Flat horses have shone this year and Oasis Sunrise and Nakaaha took her tally in that code to 11, which is some going when her previous best of 15 came in the whole of 2024. In the hands of the experienced John Egan, Oasis Sunrise was keen early in a mile handicap at Bath, but made headway and kept on well to win by a length and three-quarters. At odds of 7-2, she was likely expected to be on the scene, but Nakaaha would have been a much bigger surprise given she returned at 33-1 when emerging on top at Newbury on Friday under Egan’s son David.
Formerly trained in Newmarket for a member of the all-powerful Maktoum family, Nakaaha is a relatively new arrival to Harris’ yard in Shirenewton near Chepstow and was excused her first outing for the stable at Ffos Las when the starting stalls were not in use and there was a flag start.
The trainer was particularly complimentary about her after Newbury, so perhaps the daughter of Bated Breath is one to follow.
Those victories mean Harris, who has had five winners in July on the Flat and over jumps, is on course for her winningmost month, while her father Ron, who is based in the area as well, also got in on the act at Bath courtesy of Moe's Legacy. The four-year-old was successful in a 5½f handicap.
A family feel was to the fore in the feature at Chepstow on Thursday, which was landed by Em Four, who is trained by former top jump jockey Jamie Osborne. His association with Em Four does not, however, end there as he owns and bred the gelding, while his daughter Saffie was on board.
The course’s 1m2f handicap, meanwhile, resulted in the sole Welsh success as it went to Spirit Of The Bay, who hails from the Bridgend yard of John and Rhys Flint, although local trainer Tom Faulkner came close with Sultan Of Oj, not beaten far when third in the 5f apprentice handicap.
Our next meeting at Chepstow is this Friday, when it’s Rum & Reggae Caribbean Racenight. The first of seven races is due off at 5.15pm and the evening also features a DJ set from Levi Roots, probably best known for pitching his Reggae Reggae Sauce on BBC show Dragon's Den in 2007.
He will host a Caribbean cooking demonstration before racing and those in attendance will also be able to get into the spirit of the night with an authentic steel drums set, a dedicated rum bar with tropical cocktails, and Island-style street food, and other themed drinks.
