WEATHER FORECAST TO SHINE ON FLEMINGATE LADIES' DAY
Tue 14th August 2018
Karen McLintock hopes to do her bit for Flemingate Ladies’ Day by saddling Weather Front to victory at Beverley on Wednesday.
The Northumberland handler has had a tough time this summer as a bug in her Newcastle yard stifled progress.
But McLintock roared back this month as her four runners have performed creditably, most notably when Avenue Of Stars won at Newcastle last Thursday.
Now the Ingoe-based trainer has her sights on claiming Ladies’ Day honours when Weather Front runs in the Outfit At Flemingate Handicap (4.00).
McLintock said: “It’s not been very easy as we’ve had to back off with our horses.
“When something like that happens in your yard you just need to give them time to come to themselves.
“The horses are running into form now, though, and look to be back to themselves, which is good news.
“We'll be going to Beverley with a live chance so hopefully our lad will go well.”
Weather Front appears a leading contender for the Outfit At Flemingate Handicap over a mile and a quarter as he has won twice on his last four starts.
The gelded son of Stormy Atlantic also caught the eye at Doncaster in May, when third over a mile and a half.
Weather Front was last seen finishing second at Newcastle, when he started slowly but flew home late on and was only beaten half a length by Frown.
McLintock said: "He loves it at Newcastle, but we think this is the right race for him.
"He's never run at Beverley, but the thinking of going down there is that the stiff finish will suit him.
"He's always been a horse that does his best work at the finish, so you'd like to think he'll transfer that Newcastle form across to the turf.”
Five-year-old Weather Front will be ridden by Jamie Gormley, who claims an important 3lb in a tight-looking encounter.
McLintock, who will be saddling her first runner at Beverley, said: "Jamie's with Iain Jardine but he rides for us quite a bit and is a good servant to us.
"He's a really good jockey, and it's great that we've got him on board at Beverley.
“I've been to Beverley a long time ago when I was assistant to Don Eddy, but this is the first time I've sent a horse down there as a trainer.
“It’s a nice track and the race looks right for Weather Front, so it should be a good day.”
Weather Front faces nine rivals at Beverley, including Ideal Candy, who won over this course and distance three weeks ago, and Newmarket raiders Take A Turn and Blue Reflection.
Feature race on Ladies' Day is the mile-and-a-half Jill Willows Handicap at 3.30pm.
Metatrons Cube will be popular for the Charlie Hills team, but perhaps the most interesting horse on the seven-race card is Frankel colt Hamlul, who makes his handicap debut for Sir Michael Stoute.
The going ahead of Flemingate Ladies’ Day is now good following 16 millimetres of rainfall on Monday.
Racing begins with the Welcome To Flemingate Ladies’ Day Novice Auction Stakes at 2pm, while sunny spells and a high of 24C have been forecast for Beverley’s keynote fixture of the season.
