Emotional win for trainer Turner as The Dark Baron scores at Bath

Kathy Turner secured an emotional first victory as a trainer when outsider The Dark Baron scored at Bath Racecourse on Sunday 14th September.

The Dark Baron and jockey Laura Coughlan in the Bath parade ring after providing Kathy Turner with her first win as a trainer | Photo © Richard Briggs

Turner took over the licence at the Sigwells Farm yard on the Somerset/Dorset border near Sherborne following the death of her trainer father Bill Turner last month.

And 22/1 shot The Dark Baron, ridden by Laura Coughlan, came home first in the BetWright Bet The Wright Way Apprentice Handicap Stakes, over one mile, two furlongs and 37 yards – the opening contest in the Best Of Bath Food & Drink Festival meeting at the Lansdown track.

Second, three lengths adrift, was My Brother Mike – and the Adrian Wintle-trained Blue Hero, the most successful horse in the course’s history with nine victories there, came sixth.

Turner was tearful in the parade ring after the race – her fifth as a handler.

Unfortunately, the meeting was plagued by bad weather – wind and rain that at times was so torrential and produced such murk that it became impossible to see from one end of the home straight to the other.

Going began as good to soft. But with rain falling prior to racing and continuing to fall for much of the fixture, the going eased to soft after the first race and was declared heavy following the third contest.

Rider William Carson acknowledges the photographers after piloting Cindy Lou Who to victory in the Summer Sprint Series Final | Photo © Richard Briggs

The first of the afternoon’s two feature races was the 12-runner BetWright All Bun & Games Bath Summer Stayers’ Series Final Handicap Stakes, over one mile and six furlongs – the third race on the card.

Winner at 10/1 was Fair Dinkum, saddled by Jeremy Scott (Brompton Regis, West Somerset) and ridden by Kieran O’Neill.

Fair Dinkum passed the post three-and-three-quarter lengths ahead of runner-up Bohemian Breeze.

Man Of The Sea, with Callum Hutchinson aboard, finished 10th for local trainer Neil Mulholland, whose yard is at Conkwell near Limpley Stoke.

The second feature race, and the fourth race on the card – the BetWright Safer Gambling Bath Summer Sprint Series Final Handicap Stakes over five furlongs and 160 yards – was won by 3/1 favourite Cindy Lou Who.

William Carson partnered the three-year-old, who is trained by Tony Carroll at Cropthorne in Worcestershire, to victory by one-and-a-half lengths from second-placed Secret Handsheikh. Eleven ran.

The second contest on the seven-race card was the one-mile BetWright Bangers N’Cash Nursery Handicap Stakes – and it was a thriller in which 7/4 favourite Takeitorleaveit prevailed by a neck.

Son Of Astar and Jack Doughty in the parade ring after bringing Worcestershire-based trainer Tony Carroll his second win of the Sunday 14th September fixture | Photo © Richard Briggs

Takeitorleaveit – in the care of Jonathan Portman (Upper Lambourn, Berkshire) and piloted by Rob Hornby – overhauled former leader Rejjien, who finished in second place.

Triumphant in the fifth race, the Blackmore Building Contractors Restricted Maiden Fillies’ Stakes over five furlongs and 10 yards, was 5/2 favourite Supreme Diamond.

Saddled by Clive Cox (Lambourn, Berkshire) and ridden by Joe Leavy, Supreme Diamond came home half-a-length ahead of runner-up White Island.

Racegoers’ passion despite the weather was still clear in the penultimate contest – the Wight Events Toilets Handicap Stakes, also over five furlongs and 10 yards.

Punters roared encouragement as the race reached a dramatic conclusion, 7/1 chance Son Of Astar taking the honours by a neck from runner-up and 6/4 favourite Call Time, with third-placed Marcus coming in one-and-a-quarter lengths further back.

Son Of Astar was ridden by Jack Doughty and gave Carroll his second win of the day.

The closing one-mile Bath Rugby Handicap Stakes resulted in victory for Albus Anne.

Jockey Tyrese Cameron coaxed the 15/8 favourite to a two-and-a-half-length success for trainer Jimmy Fox (Collingbourne Ducis, Wiltshire), Lady Kameko coming home second.

The main card was preceded by two pony races.

The one-mile Dragon TV & Film Studios Pony Race 138cm & Under was won by Avalon Dancer, ridden by 12-year-old Chloe Fox Pitt.

And winner of the Dragon TV & Film Studios Pony Race 148cm & Under, over one mile and two furlongs, was Holly Dove, piloted by 15-year-old Oscar Cairns.

Sunday completed a double-header weekend for the course, which staged The Wurzels LIVE Racenight on Saturday 13th September.

An extended eight-race card brought wins for Izakaya (40/1), Carefree Dream (5/1), Diamondsinthesand (5/2 favourite), Soul Limbo (8/1), Magic Tip (6/4 favourite), Baynoona (7/1), James Park Woods (10/1) and Alpine Stroll (11/1).

Izakaya’s shock three-and-a-quarter-length victory for trainer Camilla Poulton (Telscombe, East Sussex) came in the opening Abbie Moon Is 18 Today Handicap Stakes, over two miles, one furlong and 24 yards. On board was John Egan.

Going started as soft, easing to good to soft after the second race.

The next meeting at Bath is the September Racing fixture on Tuesday 30th September. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.bath-racecourse.co.uk