Jockey Rab Havlin
Jockey Rab Havlin

Rab Havlin makes all to win John Musker Stakes on Naga at Yarmouth


The John & Thady Gosden-trained Naga claimed a first Listed success of her career in Wednesday's EBF Stallions John Musker Fillies' Stakes at Yarmouth.

The daughter of Dubawi had seemingly had her limitations exposed over longer trips after landing a Doncaster handicap over 10 furlongs on seasonal debut in April but a return to the mile and a quarter trip proved ideal as jockey Rab Havlin made all the running.

The winner kicked for home and had most of her rivals in trouble two and a half furlongs out and while the strong-staying 13/8 favourite Fairy Glen stuck at it to go down by three-quarters of a length, Naga was too strong and defied odds of 20/1.

The winner's stablemate Morrophore, also racing in the colours of owner George Strawbridge, finished third under Ryan Moore at 11/1, with 3/1 chance Rhapsody a rather luckless fourth having been made to sit and suffer behind rivals on the inside rail when the pace quickened.

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Havlin said on Sky Sports Racing: "She's a filly that we've been trying to make stay, we've been dropping her in over a mile and a half the last time.

"She won over a mile and a quarter at Doncaster and she dropped in that day but we said the last day we'd bring her back in trip and just let her bowl along. It seems to have paid dividends.

"She was very relaxed and got in a nice rhythm, she enjoyed the ground. It's nice ground and between the three and the two (furlong poles), it'll have to be something pretty good to beat me now.

"People like George Strawbridge are great supporters of the yard, without them in the game it would be nothing really."


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