Double Delight for Hambleton Racing as Able Tasman and Vegasmile Strike
There were smiles all round for the Hambleton Racing team on Saturday afternoon as two promising two-year-olds added wins to the board within a couple of hours of each other.
Able Tasman started the celebrations at Bath, producing a smart and professional performance for Archie Watson and Jack Mitchell, before Vegasmile followed up at Musselburgh with a wide-margin success for Karl Burke and Sam James.
For owners involved with both horses, it was the sort of Saturday that makes shared racehorse ownership so enjoyable.
Able Tasman Gets Off the Mark at Bath
Able Tasman lined up in the 2.30 at Bath, a Class 4 EBF restricted maiden over a mile on good ground.
The two-year-old had shown promise over seven furlongs on his debut in May and took a clear step forward here. Despite racing keenly, he saw out the mile strongly to record his first career success. Racing Post’s analysis also suggested there could be more to come, with the colt likely to stay further as he gains experience.
That is an encouraging sign at this stage of a young horse’s career. Two-year-olds can improve quickly once they begin to understand what is being asked of them, and Able Tasman’s ability to finish his race well after using some energy early gives the team plenty to work with.
Jack Mitchell deserves credit too, giving Able Tasman a patient ride and helping him get the job done on only his second start for the Archie Watson team.
The race itself was over a mile, with £5,400 going to the winner.
Vegasmile Wins Easily at Musselburgh
If Able Tasman had got the afternoon off to a good start, Vegasmile made it even better a couple of hours later.
Running in the 4.42 at Musselburgh, a Class 4 restricted maiden over seven furlongs, the Karl Burke-trained youngster was looking to build on his debut over the same course and distance just 18 days earlier.
He had finished fourth when sent off odds-on that day, but there was a very different result second time around.
With Sam James in the saddle, Vegasmile made all the running and came home more than four lengths clear, showing a big improvement from his first outing. The Racing Post described it as an easy win and noted that the performance produced a course-record time.
His breeding also offers plenty of encouragement. Vegasmile is a half-brother to three winners, including Fleetfoot, and the view after Saturday’s race was that he should continue to progress.
NEW SYNDICATE HORSES
A Saturday to Remember for Hambleton Owners
Two winners from two exciting young horses made it a particularly good afternoon for Hambleton Racing and, most importantly, their owners.
Able Tasman showed that he is learning quickly and may have more improvement to come as his stamina is tested, while Vegasmile put his first run firmly behind him with a much stronger display at Musselburgh.
For anyone involved in shared ownership, days like this are a big part of the appeal. Watching a young horse develop is enjoyable enough, but having two of them win on the same Saturday makes it that little bit sweeter.
And with both Able Tasman and Vegasmile still right at the start of their racing careers, there should be plenty more for their owners to look forward to.
