West Of Africa mixed in some determination with a stylish moving performance to win on debut at Newcastle.
Jockey James McDonald described the colt owned by Phoenix Thoroughbreds and Fung Family Investments as a “Beautiful horse who will only improve” after the pair battled it out with Ferrari Man to cross the line in 2nd by the narrowest of margins. Replays, however, would show the first past the post gave a heavy bump to West Of Africa, who was subsequently awarded the race after a protest.
The son of Not A Single Doubt is hard to miss. A flashy chestnut with a big white blaze, he broke well from the barriers allowing McDonald to slot his mount in third place a few lengths off the pacesetters. Travelling well into the turn for home, he was soon in contention for the lead and moved through the gears effortlessly. Drawing alongside Ferrari Man, the rivals pulled well clear of the rest in the battle for supremacy, leading to a head-bobbing finish.
Although Annabel Neasham’s juvenile has always shown plenty of speed in his work connections have always felt that trips beyond this 12oom journey would see him in a better light and plan to stretch him out further in his next start.