Santas delivers for Mullins in JR Racing Juvenile Classic

Santas delivers at Towcester

Dave Mullins could hardly have been more pleased Santas Amigo in the heats of the JR Racing Juvenile Classic at Towcester on Sunday.

The September 2023 son of Ballymac Best and Santas Jet showed tremendous early pace to beat 6/5 favourite Bowmers Wildcat to the bend and turn in front.

The Mullins-trained dog always had the race in safe keeping thereafter and he came home three lengths clear of Bowmers Wildcat to score in 29.08.

“I was delighted with him. We’ve always thought an awful lot of him but we’ve just taken our time before we stepped him up to 500m,” said Mullins.

“He’s not a natural breaker but he showed a lot of pace to the corner. He seems to have taken to the track well and he really drove the first bend.

“He has plenty of experience as he has been on seven different tracks, even though he’s only had 11 races.”

That was his first competitive start at the Northamptonshire track and Mullins hopeful he can improve for the run.

Santas Amigo goes in the second semi-final on Sunday when he will once again take on Bowmers Wildcat and Alans Amigo, who was third in that same heat in the first round.

The Essex-based handler added: “He’s got a decent draw and we’re happy with him – he’s probably in the best condition since we’ve had him.

“Stamina-wise he should improve but he’s just got to do it at the boxes. That’s the only worry we had with him for Towcester because if you make a hash at the boxes too much, then you’re in the wrong position going into the first bend.”

Here are the semi-finals of the JR Racing Juvenile Classic at Towcester on Sunday 13 July: