Night Raider seemed to mature dramatically on the Rowley Mile, delivering a commanding performance to claim the HKJC World Pool Palace House Stakes. The Karl Burke‑trained colt, a son of Dark Angel and owned by Wathnan Racing, had been highly thought of for some time, yet his most recent win dated back to 2024 and he had been gelded during the off‑season.
That operation appears to have worked wonders; the gelding handled the Newmarket preliminaries with calm composure, broke cleanly from the stalls and surged ahead to win by half a length at 9‑1, leaving the market favourite and defending champion Rumstar a length behind. Burke explained the change in approach: "We tried to stretch him out to a mile, but he was far too eager, too free‑running and too temperamental. Gelding him has given him a sort of maturity – in a strange way he’s become a man.
He’s about ten kilos lighter than he was last year and looked fantastic in the paddock. I knew that if he jumped quickly and found a smooth rhythm he’d manage the undulating track, and that’s exactly what happened. He was very fractious in the stalls as an entire horse last year, and I think the gelding has settled him down." The jockey, Richard Brown of Wathan, added that the horse had been training exceptionally well on his own, needing little encouragement from other horses.
"He’s been working beautifully, often doing his own thing because you don’t have to buzz him up. This win will make Richard very happy – he’s had huge faith in Night Raider from the start." Looking ahead, Burke hinted at a possible run in the King Charles III Stakes at Ascot, though he also mentioned the Minster Stakes at York as a potential target, noting that the horse might be better suited to six furlongs. "I think he’ll stay six furlongs and it will be interesting to see what James (Doyle) thinks, but I wouldn’t have expected us to turn him round so quickly," he said. Meanwhile, fellow trainer Jonathan Portman reflected on the narrow defeat of his 7‑2 favourite Rumstar, who failed to defend his Palace House title.
"He ran a brilliant race, just as good as when he won. It was a shame he had to move over and he got a decent position on the far side, but I’m very proud of him.
It’s wonderful to see him back in a big race, even if he didn’t win – he loves this track. He thrives on a stiff five furlongs; a gentle five is a bit sharp for him, and six furlongs isn’t ideal either.
We’ll aim for Ascot now, though the owners prefer not to travel much, which limits our options. Still, he’s a special horse and I’m proud to have him." Australian sprinter Asfoora disappointed observers, prompting trainer Lemos De Souza – temporarily overseeing the horse for Henry Dwyer – to attribute the result to a lack of match fitness.
"Oisin (Murphy) said she blew up, and as we’ve seen before she needs a couple of runs to hit full fitness. On an easy five furlongs she could have placed, but this was a stiff five and without 100% fitness it catches you out. The easier the five, the better she performs, but she must be fit.
On form she was the best horse in the race, just not at her true condition. We hope to aim for the Temple Stakes at Haydock next – that distance is perfect for her and should bring out her best." Local trainer T.J. Kent celebrated a red‑letter win with Erzindjan in the Betfred Suffolk Stakes.
The eight‑year‑old, who finished fourth in the Cambridgeshire last autumn, started at 17‑2 under jockey Ray Dawson and edged out John and Thady Gosden’s Fifth Column by half a length. Kent said, "He ran very well in the Cambridgeshire and the John Smith’s Cup last year.
I love York, so I enjoy going there when I can. His form has been outstanding both here and with his trainer in Dubai, so we believed he had a real chance.
Ray gave him a superb ride. It’s great to have a winner on such a day and it shows we’re heading in the right direction. As a trainer, this is one of my biggest victories.
Saturday winners are what any trainer dreams of – we’ve had success at the Shergar Cup and other decent races, but this proves that with quality horses we can deliver. I’ll speak with the owner and map out a plan; races like the John Smith’s Cup could be on the agenda." Andrew Balding also enjoyed a double on 2000 Guineas day at Newmarket, with Flora Of Bermuda and Double Rush both delivering impressive wins on the Rowley Mile. Flora Of Bermuda opened the day by taking the Oddschecker Ellen Chaloner Stakes, holding off Rosy Affair in a thrilling finish. Dropped to Listed class after a season at the top level, the mare started at 7‑2 with James Doyle aboard.
As Rosy Affair, trained by George Boughey, surged forward, Flora Of Bermuda rallied and clinched a head victory. Balding praised her versatility, "She’s earned that win, adaptable to ground and conditions, and it sets us up nicely for the rest of the year. I was worried George’s horse might have taken it from the front, but James timed his ride perfectly.
I hope she improves throughout the season and continues to contest the big races." The winner’s odds were cut from 20‑1 to 16‑1 for the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at the Royal meeting. Balding added, "We’ll likely head straight to Ascot now, given the brief for Wathnan horses, so we’re looking forward to that." Later, Balding’s other runner, 4‑6 favourite Double Rush, confirmed his class by winning the Betfred Handicap under Shane Foley, delivering a smooth performance. "He’s a very nice horse and everything went smoothly; he did it very well," Balding said.
"This was exactly the plan after his previous win – early entries were closed and we were in. It’s an important meeting to have winners, and the team was keen to run him. The field was well‑cut, and I’m thrilled with his effort.
He could be aimed at a Group race next." Overall, the day at Newmarket highlighted the impact of gelding on Night Raider’s temperament, the strategic placement of seasoned sprinters like Rumstar and Asfoora, and the emergence of promising talent from both established and emerging trainers. The upcoming fixtures at Ascot, York and Haydock will provide further opportunities for these horses to prove their mettle and for their connections to refine their campaigns as the flat season progresses.