Running The Game Gets His Head In Front!

It was third time lucky for Old Gold Racing’s gorgeous grey, Running The Game, who coasted to an easy success at Kempton on 10.01.2024!

After changing hands in October last year, two starts over hurdles returned more questions than answers but a spin on the All Weather was the plan to get the four-year-old’s mojo back after showing plenty in his homework.

Eight went to post but only one could be victorious and in a race dominated by a very short-priced favourite. Tom Queally aboard Running The Game was sent off at a lucrative price of 9/1.

The plan? Stay handy and hope he is able to finish out the race more strongly than he had in his starts over hurdles.

As they broke from the gates over the extended mile and a quarter trip, Queally positioned his mount in behind the leaders. A reasonable pace was set, thanks to Trevor Whelan aboard Stenatee.

As they raced down the back straight, the field became quite strung out with the leaders pressing on. Queally remained motionless, seemingly confident in how much he had left in the tank.

Stenatee, the long-time leader, began to drop back through the field and within a matter of strides, was swallowed up. Amico Amore gladly took over from here but the challengers began to arise, including the Gold and White silks of Running The Game.

Unfortunately, Popcorn Magic suffered an injury taking him out of the race and others struggled to go the gallop, narrowing down the contest significantly.

Swinging around the final bend, Amico Amore looked to be there on sufferance and the race quickly began to develop. Hugo Palmer’s Reason To Pass took the lead with pleasure but the move was quickly covered by second favourite, Birthday Angel.

As the latter reached the cutaway with only two furlongs to travel, Kevin Stott pushing for a full gallop. Meanwhile, Running The Game was stalking and poised to make his move.

These two looked to have it between them barring trouble and Queally, not yet in top gear, manoeuvred his mount towards the outside still on the bridle!

As the pair of greys reached speeds of up to 40mph, Running The Game raced to the lead in a matter of strides, accompanied by a roar from the travelling faithful willing their horse home.

Yes - he’s done it! On the third attempt, in the gold and white silks, Running The Game sprinted clear to win by a very comfortable length and three quarters.

His delighted owners gave a very warm reception to the pair as they walked into the winners’ enclosure for the very first time and a delighted Tom Queally said: “The manner in which he won and handled that track, he should be able to do a lot more on the Flat and have plenty of more fun with him!”.

A delighted Gary Moore spoke to his owners the following morning and said: “He did us very proud last night. The way he won will have done his confidence the world of good".