Serena Brotherton leads the ladies

01-09-2016

As is customary at this time of year, the Ladies Amateur Flat Champion title is hotting up, with wins from Katie Margarson at Thirsk on 15th August for Nigel Tinkler with TEETOTAL, Michelle Mullineaux at Chepstow on 18th August with her father’s DESERT TANGO and Serena Brotherton at Salisbury on 19th August with Ralph Beckett’s COSMIC STORM in a well judged race to deny Ireland’s Lisa O’Neill on the 11/10 favourite NONA BLU by a neck in a thrilling finish! This took Serena one win ahead of her nearest rival Joanna Mason.

Carol Bartley, with Serena Brotherton riding her own CITY GROUND at Redcar on 27 August, took the ride on SAN CASSIANO for Ruth Carr in the Racing UK Handicap over a mile and 2.  Always handy, SAN CASSIANO was ridden from 2 furlongs out to lead inside the final furlong and under Carol’s strong driving, in spite of drifting right, holding off FRAILLY GARTH and Amie Waugh by a neck, with Fionn McSharry and MUGARRED a length back in third. Serena Brotherton was 4th. What a finish!

More on the story of the race for the Ladies Amateur Flat Championship was to follow with the running of the Gay Kindersley Memorial by kind invitation of The Duke of Richmond and Gordon at Goodwood Racecourse on Sunday 28 August.  Heavy bursts of rain throughout the day resulted in trainers withdrawing 3 runners with concern over the going. However, the wet conditions did nothing to stop Serena Brotherton and PINK RIBBON maintaining their winning partnership (having enjoyed success here back in June) making virtually all to win by 1/2 a length from Joanna Walton and POINTILLISM with Jonjo O’Neill Jnr on his father’s STANLEY 1/2 length back in 3rd.

Many congratulations to Serena who has now extended her lead for the championship with a tally of 7 wins so far this season.  Joanna Mason is currently 2nd with 5 wins, and Amie Waugh 3rd on 3.

Picture credits: AJA