Lay Time (white cap) takes over before powering to success

  PICTURE: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)  

Report: Sandown, Wednesday

Fortune Stakes (Listed race) 1m 3yo+

LAY TIME stayed on strongly up the stiff Sandown hill to record her first win at Listed level and give trainer Andrew Balding a doubleon the card.

The three-year-old filly was following up the success of 20-1 chance Open Water in the maiden and she did it in taking style, sprinting away from runner-up Fontley inside the final furlong to win at 4-1 under jockey David Probert.

The Richard Hannon-trained King Torus, who was sent off the 7-4 favourite, was virtually pulled up by Richard Hughes after running as if something was amiss and The Rectifier, who was well supported beforehand, also ran well below par.

The Rectifier attempted to make all the running and he set a steady pace under Micky Fenton, which was tracked by Emerald Commander, King Torus and Lay Time in the early stages.

Rounding the bend into the home straight, Fontley was being scrubbed along in mid-pack and none was travelling better than Emerald Commander and Frankie Dettori.

Emerald Commander came through to join The Rectifier, who weakened tamely under pressure, while King Torus was momentarily short of room and couldn’t find a way through.

Lay Time, however, suffered no in-running trouble and swept down the outside and was soon in the clear, with the gallant Fontley staying on stoutly to snatch second at 33-1 for trainer Eve Johnson Houghton.

Balding said he is hopeful of keeping Lay Time in training and expects more improvement.

He said: “She’s a really nice filly and I’m hoping to persuade the owner to keep her in training next year.

“She was a late starter but as soon as she could get going she improved all the time. She’s potentially pretty smart.”

Emerald Commander took third and the Gary Moore-trained Mikhail Glinka stayed on nicely for fourth.

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