English/Ire
Timeforshowcasing heads standout winners on Newcastle All-Weather Championships card
Timeforshowcasing may have earned a shot in Classic company after making history on BetMGM All-Weather Championships Finals Day at Newcastle, where she became the first filly to win the Listed Burradon Stakes.
The Charlie Johnston-trained three-year-old, sent off at 25/1, held Padraig Dawn by a neck, with favourite Andab back in third, and could now be considered for the QIPCO 1,000 Guineas.
Johnston said: “Timeforshowcasing travelled into it really well, and I thought between the three and the two that she would win quite comfortably. Then one came to close her down and I thought she would get headed, but she has battled back well.”
Looking ahead, he added: “What is next will be up to the owners. They tend to be ambitious when it comes to these type of horses. She has the Guineas entry, and I would not be shocked if she turned up there, but that is a conversation for when the dust has settled.”
Winning rider Callum Shepherd said: “She travelled away lovely. I thought when they drew up, I would kick Hector [Crouch] two lengths, and then she has probably waited for them a fraction in front, but crucially she has gone again. I knew she had flicked an ear, so on that basis I was hopeful she had more to give, and she certainly did. She has all the attributes to make up into a lovely horse and certainly justifies those entries.”
There were strong supporting performances across the card, none more striking than Al Najashi, who extended his winning sequence to five in the BetMGM All-Weather 3 Year Old Championships Handicap. The Ollie Sangster-trained colt continued his rapid rise through the sprint ranks, beating stablemate Eternal Solace by two lengths under Billy Loughnane.
Loughnane said: “Al Najashi has been very progressive for Ollie and his team. He has done nothing wrong since he moved into handicaps. Today was probably the first time he has had to have a proper race – and he was very good.
“Al Najashi is built like a sprinter, so I think he is probably going to get faster the more racing he does. He has a bright future whatever happens.”
Another notable winner was Stateira, who preserved her unbeaten record at Newcastle in the BetMGM Fillies’ And Mares’ Championships Handicap. The Andrew Balding-trained filly, ridden by Oisin Murphy, overcame a 10lb rise for her previous course success to score decisively.
Murphy said: “Stateira was entitled to be favourite. I was just a bit concerned about how the track is playing – I thought we would have to change plans. What I mean is, normally we let her come out in neutral and she races on the speed, but I thought if I rode her that way today, she would do too much into the headwind.”
He added: “The guys at home have done a terrific job. She had a few hold-ups last year, but she is over them and in great health at the moment. When fillies get into that sort of space, they can really improve. She is a great example of that.”
Earlier on the card, Wiltshire returned to winning ways in the Midnite All-Weather Sprint Handicap, producing a strong late run under Cieren Fallon to beat last year’s winner Fivethousandtoone by a length. It was the William Haggas-trained five-year-old’s first success since Northumberland Plate day in June 2024.
Maureen Haggas said: “It is great to get Wiltshire back on track. We have been trying to get him on a path where he could run well and get a bit of confidence. Hopefully, he can build on today.”
She added: “He has always had this niggling wind thing which we finally had to get sorted. I think he is probably happier now, more confident, and the tongue strap helps as well.”
Fallon said: “He is tricky. He has always been talented, but whether he turns up or not is the question, and he definitely turned up today.”
The BetMGM All-Weather Championships Mile Handicap went to the striking Tyrrhenian Sea, who gained overdue compensation for defeat on Finals Day four years earlier with a smart victory for Roger Varian and Jack Mitchell. The eight-year-old, back in handicap company after three solid Listed efforts, beat Blue RC by a length and a quarter.
Mitchell said: “That was amazing. Tyrrenian Sea has always had a special place in my heart, all through his career. He was carrying a lot of weight and, being an eight-year-old against younger rivals, I thought he would have to be at his best.”
He added: “Roger, the team and I were toying with which race to go for, the Easter Classic or this. The Mile did look the tougher race, although we had a 3lb pull with Chancellor from Southwell and I thought we were unlucky not to be closer there. I think it paid dividends that we went a nice gallop today, which our horse could quicken off. I found the gaps and he showed a turn of foot. At the grand age of eight, he was electric.”
George Tregoning, assistant to Varian, said: “Tyrrhenian Sea is a real stable star. We came here quite confident, as we knew the stiff mile would suit. He is very comfortable over eight to 10 furlongs in Pattern company. There was plenty of pace on early, he got the split, and job done.”
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