Bishops Castle Explodes At Sandown

A horse who has been "his own worst enemy," Bishops Castle put it all together to record an explosive victory in the Guinot International Handicap at Sandown on Wednesday.

"He has pulled too hard in some races, laid-in in others," said Anthony Feroce, pleased that a few changes in gear - including the addition of a norton bit - did the trick.

"Michael tinkered with his gear a bit and it looks like it has worked," he said.

"We have always had a good opinion of this horse," he added, "and he was very good today."

Jockey Glen Boss - celebrating his 44th birthday - agreed.

"He is still learning his trade but winning whilst doing so," he said - "and I think next preparation as a more mature horse his owners will have a lot of fun with him."

A three times winner from just 13 starts, Bishops Castle had been an encouraging Sandown fourth at his previous start - on that day tending to over-race.

"I gave him a couple of early rubs that day," Boss said - adding that the four-year-old became a bit aggressive, noting that "he is a very very powerful horse."

Raced by R & C Legh Racing Pty Ltd, Gurners Bloodstock Co (manager Andrew Ramsden), Dr John Kennedy, Roberto Scheriani, Harold Hansen, Wright Racing, Neville Scurrell, Warwick Poll and the SHH Syndicate, Bishops Castle was a $NZ160,000 Karaka purchase for Paul Moroney.

A son of O'Reilly, he is out of the unraced Zabeel mare Hooked Ona Feeling – a cleverly named daughter of the high class race mare Ugachaka.

Bishops Castle's win was part of a good 24 hours for the stable with another of our UK based horses purchased by Paul saluting overnight.

Having his sixth start and appreciating a step up distance, Kelvingrove - a son of Arc de Triomphe winner Hurricane Run - raced away to an incredible 16 length victory over 2800m at Yarmouth.

A 60,000 gns purchase at last year's Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale, Kelvingrove - who may head to Australia at some stage - is a half-brother to the Group One winning stayer Cavalryman.