Hanagan revels in his own ‘Derby’ win at Haydock

Jul 7 2008 by Chris Wright, Liverpool Daily Post

PAUL HANAGAN beamed with delight and said his victory aboard Anna Pavlova in Saturday’s bet365 Lancashire Oaks at Haydock was “like winning the Derby”.

Hanagan had spoken of his hopes of winning the contest in Saturday’s Daily Post. And just as he hoped he steered the Richard Fahey-trained five-year-old mare to a superb three-and-a-quarter length victory over fellow joint 5-2 favourite Ezima.

While connections continue to look ahead to a possible first Group One victory in Irish St Leger in September, the 27-year-old just revelled in winning at his ‘home track’.

He said: “It is like winning the Derby, winning here. This is my biggest win at Haydock. She has done really well for me. It is my home track and to win a Group Two on her is just brilliant.”

The win was Hanagan’s fourth at Group level and his 61st of a fruitful campaign.

It came on a horse on whom he has struck up such a great partnership.

With the ease in the ground, Anna Pavlova was able to build on her two decent performances at Group One level this season, when eighth in the Coronation Cup at Epsom and last week’s excellent third in the Pretty Polly Stakes.

Hanagan added: “They went a decent clip, which always helps. She travelled so well and you can’t get there too soon. But in that ground you can’t be too far away from them. But when she gets her toe in, she is a very good horse.

“I was a little bit worried about the ground because it was probably quicker than ideal for her. She wants it as if it is nearly called off. But that shows how good she is.

“I was quite surprised that the times for the earlier races were standard, so it seemed to riding quicker, but she got away with it.”

Connections will have to, as usual, be watchful of the weather when picking her next target.

The Group One Darley Yorkshire Oaks at York’s Ebor meeting next month is the possible as well as the Irish St Leger. And on a soft surface she will have a big chance of winning at the highest level for the first time.

Tony Hart, a member of the 12-strong Galaxy Racing syndicate who own the mare said: “At 20 to three we were going to pull her out, it was that close.

“But the breeder Raymond Cowie made the decision and it was a wise one.

“She was going to run at Newmarket next week, but that’s out now and her long-term target is the Irish St Leger.”

While Anna Pavlova goes searching for more glory last year’s Turbo Linn, who finished fifth on Saturday, will be retired to the paddocks.

The five-year-old mare will join her dam Linns Heir at her owner-breeder James Nelson’s stud in Lockerbie. Trainer Alan Swinbank said: “We’re going to retire her. She’s done her job, she’s nothing else to prove.

“She ran a little bit flat at Haydock, although an extra special horse (Anna Pavlova) won the race. There are a lot of younger horses coming through and she’s getting older.

“She’ll be going back to Lockerbie to James Nelson’s stud and I’ve told him the first thing he has to do on Monday morning is to ring Coolmore to sort out which stallion she is going to.”

Meanwhile Mad Rush scored by a comfortable four lengths to give trainer Luca Cumani a fourth Old Newton Cup at Haydock on Saturday and will be stepped up to Group company in future.

TODAY’S NAP: Kyber (2.45pm Musselburgh)