Sandy McLean gallops to a win with Gino F in Valencia
Monday 19 February 2024
Sandy McLean gallops to a win with Gino F in Valencia
Sandy McLean hit top gear to land the 3* 1.45m on the Moura Tour in Valencia, Spain, with top ride Gino F, winning with almost two seconds to spare.
Sandy has been on flying form in the Winter Classic series at home and continued his form in Spain, outpacing his 47 rivals in this speed class, the Ultimo x Grannus 13-year-old ‘Big G’ galloping into a 1.87 second win.
James Smith and Laura Renwick were in contention for the top-billed 3* Grand Prix but eventually had to settle for second and third places.
Forty-one came forward over the tough and testing world ranking 1.50m course and only four conjured up all the right answers to go into the jump-off. Three jumped clear again in a competitive, hard-fought second round, but France’s Thomas Lambert just had the edge to win on Jackpot EB. James was only 0.17 seconds behind with Jim Wilmer’s 12-year-old Tayvale Hunky Dory (Balou Du Rouet x Master Imp) to take second spot with Laura aboard the 11-year-old mare Enjoy CK Z a further 0.61 seconds in arrears for third.
Guy Williams speeds to a Grand Prix victory on the Andalucia Sunshine Tour
Guy Williams scored handsomely in the 4* Medium Tour Grand Prix on the Andalucia Sunshine Tour in Vejer de la Frontera, Spain, with Ernie of Greenhill Z.
Eighty-five competitors faced a world ranking 13-fence 1.50m track designed by Cedric Longis with 15 coming home on a clean sheet to access the jump-off. No-one was a match for Guy’s speed skills as he attacked the course, guiding the 12-year-old Ernie (Emerald x Caretino) to victory with 0.33 seconds to spare.
Ellen Whitaker eased Conshira Blue PS into second in Sunday’s 70-strong 4* big tour 1.45m speed, the 11-year-old Conthargos x Chacco-Blue mare finishing 0.83 seconds behind the winner, Spain’s Jesus Garmendia Echevarria on Valut 2. Ava Vernon also returned a quick clear round for third aboard Jolie Fleur Van De Noordheuvel.
Matt Sampson hit winning form earlier in the week, taking Thursday’s 4* Medium Tour 1.45m speed. He seized victory in group one, beating his 68 rivals on the 12-year-old Curraghgraigue Obos Flight (Obos Quality x Errigal Flight) with one whole second in hand over second-placed Ellen and Conshira Blue. Ellen went one better in group two, topping the 68-strong class with a commanding 3.41 seconds on the 11-year-old Vigo Cici daughter Demi Louvo.
Sameh El Dahan slipped WKD Aimez Moi into second just a fraction off winning his sponsor’s class, the WKD 4* Big Tour 1.50m. Ninety-one contended this speed class, Joanne Sloan-Allen’s home-bred 14-year-old daughter of Je T’Aime Flamenco only 0.06 seconds off the pace.
Jack Whitaker is in the money in Sharjah
Jack Whitaker finished second in the 5* Sharjah Islamic Bank Cup Six-Bar with Equine America Q Paravatti N in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
Twelve riders started in this test of precision, the original number whittled down to four for the fifth and final round, although only three opted to jump. Only one clear round was recorded, UAE’s Mohamed Hamad Ali Al Kirbi taking the win on Carrera Du Houlbec. Jack and the Quality Time TN x Indoctro 12-year-old Q Paravatti lowered one rail to finish equal second.
Robert Murphy collects world ranking points in Belgium
Robert Murphy slipped Hulde G into third in the 4* 1.50m at the Zangersheide International at Sentower Park in Opglabbeek, Belgium.
Eleven of the initial 59 starters returned for the jump-off with Robert, who is based with six-time Olympian Jos Lansink via the Rolex Young Riders Academy, posting another clear round. The effort slotted the Vigo D’Arsouilles x Warrant 12-year-old mare into third place, 0.81 seconds behind the winner, France’s Julien Anquetin on Z Ice Cube Z.
Ben Maher is on the podium with a new ride at Wellington International
Ben Maher jumped new ride Corlander into second in the $25,000 CPKC Grand Prix at Wellington International in Florida, USA.
Five of the original 22 starters claimed a place in the jump-off with Ben and Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright’s eight-year-old Corlander (Cornet Colbert x Landfriese 2) finishing runner-up 0.72 seconds behind the winner, Spain’s Juan Manuel Gallego on Fee Des Sequoias Z.
Image: Sandy Mclean and Gino F. Credit: Moura Tours
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