Racing: Lammas adds Thames to his tally

Cups winning jockey Cameron Lammas struck again at Thames yesterday when combining with Desert Flight to win the feature event.

Lammas has enjoyed a magical start to the 2005-2006 season, riding Kerry O'Reilly to impressive victories in the Counties and Waikato Cups.

The Matamata-based jockey added the Thames Cup to his haul, handling Desert Flight patiently and settling the 7-year-old off the speed before sprinting forward three wide to challenge Single Sun and Tadan with 500m remaining.

Desert Flight had to dig deep over the last 50m to fight off a fast-closing Avegas to win by a half-head with a further neck back to Gristle (third).

The 2000m was cut out in a brisk 1.59.88. Single Sun set some solid early lead sectional times before he was pressured by Tadan and Kajema with 900m remaining.

The disappointment of the race was the favourite Kajema who, after settling close to the speed, briefly challenged the leader three wide then battled to finish in fifth position.

"His three runs leading into the Thames Cup were honest performances and his last-start effort to finish eighth at Ellerslie on Boxing Day was a lot better than it looked,"said Lammas. "The jump up in distance to 2000m really helped this horse and we may have got to the front a little earlier than I wanted but he stuck it out very gamely.

"I've ridden this horse this season for Richard [Coxon, trainer] and it was a good performance winning this race as he had to lump plenty of weight [57.5kg].

"The decision by Richard to put the blinkers back on Desert Flight did help for this race as he was a bit keener and focused."


- HERALD ON SUNDAY