Morris Dancer shows off winning moves at Salisbury

William Buick teamed up with John and Thady Gosden to ride a Listed race double at Salisbury through Morris Dancer and Miss Justice.

The victory of Morris Dancer in the three-runner British Stallion Studs EBF Stonehenge Stakes was more expected, but nevertheless he was sent off a 11-10 chance with A Bit Of Spirit the 5-6 favourite.

Morris Dancer had pushed Zavateri close at Goodwood in the Vintage Stakes and back down in grade had little trouble in winning by four lengths.

Buick said: “It was a quick turnaround from Goodwood where he had shown signs of inexperience.

“The way he jumped from the stalls that day, we were too far behind but he still ran a huge race.

“It’s lovely to see him back it up here today and I was really happy with what he did, he’s improving with all his racing.

“He’s learning on the job but is very straightforward, you can place him anywhere and I do think he’s improving.

“We wanted a tow into the race, it was a fair run race and you can take a bit out of it, everyone had their shot.

“I don’t think he’d mind a bit of juice in the ground but he gets the job done. He stayed a mile but I think he’d also be happy back at seven furlongs.”

Miss Justice’s win in the British Stallion Studs EBF Upavon Fillies’ Stakes was a bit more of a surprise as she had been busy on the all-weather and looked to have a bit to find on the figures but she was still only an 11-2 chance.

The four-year-old had to survive being caught badly short of room before the turn for home and the persistent challenge of Ralph Beckett’s Revoir but battled back to win by a head.

“She’s been a filly we’ve always liked and has a brilliant pedigree, being by Justify and out of a sister to Timepiece,” Thady Gosden told Racing TV.

“She’s been a bit unlucky this year but won well at Southwell last time out, albeit she was back in trip today.

“She got badly cut up out in the country but the jockey seemed more annoyed than her!

“It’s fantastic for her owners to win this today and we’ll just enjoy that.”