Bastiman hoping to run See Vermont at Beverley
Saturday 8 August 2015 18:49, UK
Rebecca Bastiman hopes to play her part on Ladies' Day as Beverley prepares for their most popular fixture on Wednesday.
The Wetherby handler, in her first season since taking over from her father, Robin, hopes to saddle See Vermont to victory in the five-furlong Rawfield And Paragon Data Handicap.
Bastiman's seven-year-old has been a regular at Beverley over the last few seasons but has not necessarily had the luck his efforts have deserved.
His trainer said: "He's been beaten a short head and a head at Beverley this year so he's not really had the rub of the green - but that's sprint races for you.
"He's a lovely, straightforward horse who is such a smooth traveller. We were thinking he'd get six furlongs in time but we'll stick to five for now.
"Hopefully it will stay dry as he loves quick ground and clearly enjoys himself running up that hill. This looks a grand race race for him."
The East Yorkshire circuit always evokes fond memories for the Bastiman family as the now-retired Borderlescott won the Beverley Bullet in September 2012 - his last ever victory on a racecourse.
Bastiman said: "Scotty is absolutely loving life and looks as well as ever.
"He's out in a field having a great old time - we still love him to absolute bits."
Journal Ladies' Day's seven-race card is due to begin at 2pm. The feature race is the £10,000 Listers Mercedes Benz of Hull Handicap (4.40) over a mile and a quarter, won last year by the David O'Meara-trained Sophisticated Heir.
Beverley chief executive Sally Iggulden said: "Journal Ladies' Day continues to be one of our most popular and colourful days of the year.
"Attracting a crowd of around 11,000, it brings new customers to the racecourse year after year, many who return on other days with families and friends.
"The 2015 renewal looks to bolster the excellent attendances that we have seen at the course this year, and our continuing partnership with the Hull Daily Mail and St Stephen's Shopping Centre should ensure this is the case."
