Master Matt and Sam Ewing (near side) hold White Lavender © Photo Healy Racing
Master Matt sprang a surprise to land the Abergwaun Stakes at odds of 14/1 in the hands of Sam Ewing who, of course, was unable to utilise his claim in this Listed contest.
The Slade Power gelding was customarily tricky in the preliminaries and unseated his rider on the way out to the track, but Ewing was quickly back on board and the 6-year-old did everything that was asked of him in the race.
He tracked the leaders before being shaken up to challenge inside the final quarter mile and, after hitting the front in the final 150 yards, he kept on under pressure to just hold the gambled-on White Lavender (33s into 12/1 on the show) by a neck.
It was another length and a quarter back to the 9/4 favourite Urban Beat who was always on the back foot after stumbling when the gates opened and acquitted himself well in the circumstances.
It was a seventh career win, and a first in stakes company, for the winner.
Winning trainer Matt smith said: “I thought he’d be there or thereabouts. Last time at the Curragh the heat got to him and I was a bit worried about the heat today but he was alright.
“Urban Beat beat him in the Rockingham but they were on opposite sides and Master Matt was in front on his side. I’m not saying he’d have won but they might have been closer.
“I think five is probably his best trip as he has plenty of boot, although he’s won over six and seven.
“Sam said he was flat out early on but he stays well. He’s entered up in a handicap on Champions Weekend so we’ll see.
“I’m delighted for the owner Frank Lynch. Sam is a good young lad and it’s great that he’s got a (first) Listed winner.”
Smith sent out good servant Warnaq to win at Listed level in the Finale Stakes at Naas in 2019.
Quotes from Alan Magee
