Acomb Aim For Winning Newcomer By Footstepsinthesand

The Acomb Stakes was mentioned as a possible target for Gorytus (2c Footstepsinthesand - Julieta, by Teofilo) after the Richard Fahey-trained colt made a winning debut at York on Sunday.

Racing over seven furlongs, the Merchant And Missionaries-owned colt was positioned in midfield by David Nolan and was asked to challenge approaching the two furlong marker. Making good headway with over a furlong left to race, he kept on well to lead close home and beat previous winner Star Of Orion (Footstepsinthesand) by a head. Short-priced favourite Jadoomi (Holy Roman Emperor) finished third.

Judging by his post-race comments, Fahey holds the winner in high regard, and said, “I'm delighted. Gorytus is quite a nice horse but on paper it looked a competitive race and it was nice to run well. We'll see how he is and how the form works out but the Acomb was a race I'd earmarked for him.”

Bred by Hyde Park Stud and Lissglen Bloodstock, Gorytus comes from the family of Verglas and Cassandra Go.