Sharp Riposte showed us what we all believed he had, when he dead heated in the Smooth Radio North East Novice Stakes at Newcastle today.

 

The good looking son of Bated Breath had run two encouraging races, finishing third on both occasions, the last time on sticky ground that didn’t suit.

Ridden by Luke Morris in the 6 furlong race, he was slow to jump, and ducked to the right a little, Luke had to make up ground in the early stages, he sat on the outside, just tracking the leaders where he travelled really well.

Two furlongs from home, Luke started to wind him up and ask for an effort, the horse responded well, showing a good turn of foot to hit the front a furlong out. The Mark Johnston horse, Boondoggle, came upsides him and headed him, but he battled back with the two horses eyeballing each other and fought out the finish.

The judge decided on a dead heat, with the two of them finishing 3 and a half lengths from the rest of the field.

This was a great result for trainer Marco Botti and  owners, The Prestige Five.