Oolong Poobong signs off on a winning note at Nottingham Racecourse

Oolong Poobong has seemingly brought her career to a close in style, having recorded a game success in the Listed Robin Hood Stakes at Nottingham on Wednesday (28th October). 

The four-year-old arrived on the back of a solid effort to finish fourth on her first try at this level at Redcar earlier this month and she certainly seemed to appreciate the softer ground. 

Prominent throughout the extended mile contest, the daughter of Make Believe was kicked for home at the three furlong pole under Callum Rodriguez and found plenty to gamely hold off the attentions of Ebt’s Guard in the closing stages. 

It was a performance that thrilled her trainer Ed Bethell, who revealed his charge could well have run her last race. 

He said: “I’m delighted for her and her connections. She’s hard as nails and she toughed it out well today, she’s gutsy and always has been. She’s deserved a nice race and she’s going to become a valuable broodmare now hopefully.

“As it stands at the moment she’ll go to the December Mare Sale, there’s not many more races for her now and she’d have to carry a penalty. She’s always wanted a bit of juice in the ground, she’s finished fourth in the Sandringham (at Royal Ascot) and fourth in a Listed race (at Redcar) before this, so she’s been a fine servant.” 

The winning jockey Callum Rodriguez added: “She’s a very tough filly and she enjoys this type of ground. I was happy enough to commit early, because she’s got a hell of a good attitude and when the time came she found plenty. 

“She enjoys that ground, she possibly had a bit to find at the weights but it’s nice she’s got that black type now.”

Elsewhere on the card, Cieren Fallon was pleased with the performance of the William Haggas-trained Gaspacho, who picked up a third career success in the Racing TV Handicap over a mile and three quarters. 

The three-year-old finished a solid third on her first try over this trip at York last time out and she travelled into the contest with purpose under Fallon. 

The daughter of Ghaiyyath was pulled out to challenge by Fallon just before the three pole and she found plenty for her rider’s urgings, taking up the lead at the furlong pole and forging clear for a length and three quarter success. 

And Fallon feels that his charge could prove to be even better next season. He said: “We were kind of unsure how we were going to ride her to be quite honest, but we made a move to go forward early and got a lovely pitch. 

“I thought it was a nice even gallop, she loves this ground and in the home straight it was about not giving the winner too much rein but also not getting there too soon. She’s got a wonderful attitude, she stayed on well to the line and I’m sure she’s going to get further. 

“She’s going to strengthen up a lot over the winter. She’s a sound filly and she loves this sort of ground and I think you’re going to see an improved type next season.”