Summary
Sparksmith has been earmarked for a race at Southwell in the new year
He lost 4kgs after the race
He blew hard afterwards and should come on for the run
Sparksmith finished a creditable third on debut in the Win £250,000 With BetMGM’s Golden Goals EBF Novice Stakes at Lingfield.
The son of dual Group 1 winner Hello Youmzain, who is in the Uppingham Thoroughbreds syndicate managed by Kingsmoor, was prominent in the early stages of the race and was even second two furlongs out before he faded in the final 100 yards to finish third to 8-15 favourite Angel Gabriel and Hen Party.
Hello Youmzain won the Group 1 Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock in 2019 and the Diamond Jubilee – both over six furlongs, in 2019 and 2020 and looks to be staying over the sprint distance for his next start.
“A very nice start from Sparksmith at Lingfield,” Trainer James Ferguson told Kingsmoor.
“He behaved impeccably and behaved in the preliminaries. He also won the best turned out, which is always nice a nice start.
He was very comfortable to saddle, went down nicely and stood well in the gates. All in all, as far as education is concerned I was very happy with that.
He jumped out strongly, on terms, and bear in mind he was the only one who hadn’t run before.
“He got a little bit unbalanced on the turn. He didn’t have that knowledge to quicken when he needed to and probably got a little flat-footed under pressure.
“He’s blown pretty hard afterwards so for a fitness point of view he will take a huge step forward for that. It was a nice first experience, he has run well to the line. I’m very much looking forward to run in the new year.
“I’d like to keep him at six furlongs for now, before we look to step him up in distance if we need to. Overall, I nice day at the races.”
Jonny Peate was in the saddle once again, having partnered Uppingham’s Advancing earlier in the season.
“He’s been pretty grown up for his first day at school,” Peate told Kingsmoor.
“He jumped pretty well, and he was sharp enough in to his stride. Got a lovely tow behind the favourite as we planned. He travelled well throughout and got in to a good rhythm.
“It is not the easiest of tracks first time – he handled it pretty well. On the last bend it runs away from you a bit, so he did step out slightly. He’ll learn a good bit from today.
“He took a good blow and whatever he does today, will mean he takes a huge step forward. I’m sure he is one for the future.”
Sparksmith lost 4kgs during the race and in the immediate aftermath, but Ferguson relayed that he has found a second race for the three-year-old colt.
“Sparksmith is sound and well this morning” Ferguson aaded. “He ate up all of his food last night so there is not a bother on him.”
