3 minute read

Jersey Stakes bid not ruled out for King Power-owned winner

Happy Power  could be set for a swift reappearance at Royal Ascot after improving his already impressive strike-rate with a straightforward success in the equinITy Technology Ganton Stakes at York.

Andrew Balding’s three-year-old had won three of his six runs prior to stepping up to a mile in the Listed contest.

Having run with credit to be third to John Quinn’s progressive Safe Voyage last time out, he found the extra furlong no problem on this occasion.

Just five went to post on the Knavesmire and only the winner and Wadilsafa were ever involved.

Dane O’Neill looked reluctant to make the running on Wadilsafa, but with over a furlong to run everything bar Silvestre de Sousa and Happy Power was in trouble.

Sir Dancelot failed to pick up and Oh This Is Us could never get on terms, while Raakib Alhawa was last throughout.

When De Sousa asked Happy Power to quicken, he did so nicely and the 6-5 favourite went on to win by a length and a quarter.

Alastair Donald, bloodstock manager for Happy Power’s owners, King Power Racing, said: “He does like that soft ground.

“There’s a chance, depending on how he comes out of the race, and if there is give in the ground still, that he could run in the Jersey (on the Saturday of the Royal meeting).

“He got the mile well there, but it was a slowly-run race. I think he’ll be pretty versatile, though.

“He’s won four and probably should have won at Hamilton last year, but bumped into East, so it was a pretty hot race.

“He’s still a bit of a baby, but I think he’ll be an exciting horse next year.

“So the Jersey is a possibility if he’s bouncing and there’s some give in the ground.”