York Saturday Preview: Shane Gray Assesses His Best Chances
Fresh from landing a major Saturday afternoon winner in front of the ITV cameras at York recently, BAR 1 Betting-sponsored jockey Shane Gray will be hoping to enjoy more success at the Knavesmire this weekend as he returns to York for a five-ride card on Saturday.
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Gray Looks Forward to Cambridgeshire Winner Boiling Point
Dundalk native Gray, who rode his fourteenth winner of the British flat season at Haydock on Friday, first takes the ride on Boiling Point, last season’s Cambridgeshire winner, at Goodwood on Friday afternoon.
Speaking to BAR1Betting.com, Gray revealed he was excited to be taking part in the Listed Fitzdares Festival Stakes at 16:17.
“He’s rated 113. The Late Sheikh Mohammed Obaid has been quite a big supporter of mine, so I’m quite looking forward to riding him.”
Jonny Concrete “Has A Big Chance” At York
Gray, who began his career in Ireland riding for the legendary Tommy Stack, takes five rides at York on Saturday, with his first mount coming in a 6f Handicap at 13:30 aboard Jonny Concrete. Having run well at Chester and Hamilton already this season, Gray could get off to a flyer.
“He has a big chance, he’s very consistent, I think York will suit him, he thrives in bigger fields, I’d be good and positive about him, hopefully he gets his head in front.”
Gray Links Up With Karl Burke Debutant
Based in the Kevin Ryan yard, Gray’s next most fruitful partnership in racing has been with trainer Karl Burke, and they will link up again on Saturday when Gray takes the mount of debutant Possesive in a 6f Novices race at 14:05.
“Obviously, Karl’s (Karl Burke) a very well-respected two-year-old trainer, and judging by the past, he likes to save a decent one for York. I haven’t sat on him, but you have to always respect one of Karl’s two-year-old’s.”
Master Of My Fate Could Still Have More To Offer
It’s back into handicap company for Gray’s next ride at 14:40, as he gets aboard Master Of My Fate for the very first time. Trained by John & Sean Quinn, Gray will be looking to make the most of the opportunity.
“A spare ride on a busy Saturday, to me, he still looks quite unexposed, he looks like he still has a bit to play with, he’s quite lightly raced, he’s still learning the job, so I think he has a good chance, to be honest.”
Dacres Cross Expected To Improve This Season
Back riding for his boss at 15:50, Gray rides Dacres Cross for Kevin Ryan in a 7f handicap.
“I know the horse quite well. I haven’t really sat on him this year; hopefully, he should improve. He always looked like the type of horse to improve from two to three, so I’m looking forward to him.”
“Definitely One Of My Better Chances” — Feel The Need
Gray’s final ride of the day comes at 17:00 in a 7f handicap where he rides Feel The Need for trainer Michael Herrington. Gray has only ridden for the Lincolnshire-based stable on 13 occasions previously, but that link-up has yielded a race win, and Gray sounds confident he may be able to double his tally for the yard in the lucky last.
“He’s definitely one of my better chances. Looking through his form, he loves York. He’s a horse who needs plenty of luck; he needs to be ridden dropped in, if he gets the splits he’s defintly in with a good chance.”
