My Mate Alfie earns a shot at 'touring' next year

The Group 3 Renaissance Stakes was a hot renewal at Headquarters this year and it was My Mate Alfie who added to his burgeoning reputation.

The three-year-old gelding arrived on a mark of 113 which made him the highest rated in this field of 11 sprinters.

Colin Keane drove him up to challenge and indeed pass Big Gossey inside the final furlong and the two horses soon settled down for the scrap.

My Mate Alfie was always just holding Big Gossey and increased the margin to three-parts of a length at the winning post. Torivega gave his each-way backers a return in third at 7/1.

Ger Lyons said: “He's straightforward and I'm happy to have him. He's just improved all season.

“We said we'd teach him how to sprint all year, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.

“He just after rocking up and improving all year. I think he's won what he has deserved, a Group 3.

“He couldn't get near Givemethebeatboys early in the year but, the way he has improved now, if they had to meet in a match he'd have to give him six or seven pounds.

“It's a credit to the horse. We know he'll get seven - I promised the owner that if he let me do it my way this year that we'd go touring next year, so I'll have to come up with a plan to get out of that one!

“He makes you look good, he's so straightforward. You'd think these sprinters are high octane and hard to deal with, but he's so laidback and I think that's the secret to his success.

“He's handled any ground as well.”

My Mate Alfie was also successful in a premier handicap at the Curragh and in Listed company at the same venue this season.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson