Quirky Ciarrai Abu defies antics to remain on upgrade

Ciarrai Abu defied his pre-race antics to justify favouritism in the Coral Kincsem Heritage Handicap at Goodwood.

Harry Eustace’s charge was a 100-30 favourite having won two of his last three starts, but his supporters must have been concerned as he was boisterous going to post and eventually unshipped his jockey George Wood, causing the race be delayed by almost 10 minutes.

However, he was as good as gold once the stalls opened, travelling strongly throughout and passing the post with a length in hand over Bourbon Blues.

There was drama further back in the field as Savvy Disko suffered a heavy fall under Wednesday’s Sussex Stakes hero Billy Loughnane. Thankfully the rider emerged unscathed and Savvy Disko walked onto the horse ambulance to be assessed.

Wood said: “It’s the first time I’ve had much to do with him but he’s always looked a bit quirky in the past. He’s not the most straightforward but he’s got an engine and hopefully he’s only going one way.”

Eustace added: “He doesn’t make it easy for any of us, before or after, but he’s obviously got plenty of ability – we just need to direct it in the right direction.

“He’s obviously not straightforward so he then doesn’t want to arrive too quickly. He doesn’t make it easy but I thought George gave him an absolute peach.

“I’m not sure (how far he can go). He’s very much a horse we have to go very gently and softly with. It was a big step up today but off a light weight so we’re still very much in the handicap areas at the moment.

“He is owned by OTI as well and Tom Charlton and Tom O’Shea are due to receive him (in Australia) at some point. I suppose I could give them a call and see if we can hang on while there’s some summer ground around.”