Newarket handler saddles two runners on Friday
TRAINER Ed Vaughan has two good chances of tasting success on the Knavesmire this Friday courtesy of Mehronissa and Interconnection.
The former tackles the feature race on the seven-race card – the £30,000 EBF Breeders Series Fillies Handicap, over six furlongs (4.20pm). Mehronissa looks to have strong credentials on paper having won in good style on her seasonal debut at Haydock last month. The daughter of Iffraaj, a winner on the Knavesmire when both the Royal Ascot and St Leger Meetings paid a visit some ten years ago, has two wins of her own at Newmarket and another at Windsor. Vaughan is optimistic that there is more improvement to come from her.
He said: “Mehronissa is entitled to have come on for her first run of the year and goes there in good form. She likes to get her toe in but is fine on good ground.
“She has a nice progressive profile and I think she is still improving. She is off 93 now and I hope that she can continue to progress with the main aim being to get some black type. A race like the Chipchase at Newcastle may be on the agenda if all goes to plan on Friday.”
Mehronissa carries the colours of Dubai-based owner Salem Rashid, who also owns Vaughan’s other representative, Interconnection.
The son of Mount Nelson will tackle the 888sport.com Handicap over an extended mile and a quarter at 2:35pm.
He is one of 12 runners heading to post in search of the majority of the £20,000 prize pot and he, too, has strong claims based on his smooth win at Newmarket a month ago.
Vaughan added: “Interconnection is another who wouldn’t want the ground rattling fast but he is well and we are looking forward to running.
“He has run well at York before and is suited by the long straight and galloping track. The form of his Newmarket win was boosted when Sylvester Kirk’s horse (Gold Prince) was second at Epsom and he looks to have a chance.”
Friday’s seven-race card also features an intriguing five-furlong novice race for juveniles, which gets the day underway at 2:00pm.
The second day of York’s June Meeting takes place on Saturday. Britain’s biggest charity raceday kicks off with the historic Queen Mother’s Cup at 1:50pm with the highlight, the £100,000 888sport Charity Sprint, scheduled for 3:35pm.