Supersonic Saturday in Partnership with Matthew Clark featuring Oasiz

As the summer heatwave continued to sweep the nation, Supersonic Saturday at Chester Racecourse was the place to be in July 2025. The feature race came in the City Plate Stakes (Listed), with ground conditions Good (Good To Firm in places).

Race 1 – Matthew Clark Handicap (Class 5, 4yo+, 1m 4 ½f)

Initially passing the post in unison with Percy Jones (11/2), L’Eagle Aid (11/2) survived a stewards enquiry to be declared the winner of the opening race, just holding on under Archie Young to score for the Charlie Johnston yard. Slow to begin, L’Eagle Aid was kept at the back of the pack for much of the first race, sitting a fair way behind leader Run Of Luck (4/1) as Percy Jones showed up prominently on the inside. Gradually making ground up the inside rail, L’Eagle Aid rapidly moved into a more challenging position around the home turn, sneaking into fourth place as Percy Jones took the lead. Ridden along and edging ever close to the leader, L’Eagle Aid timed his finishing effort to near perfection, joining the leader right on the line to force a photo finish. A jockey on the rise, Archie Young now has 40 winners to his name since beginning his career in 2023!

Race 2 – Cupiolo Handicap (Class 4, 3yo+, 5f)

Placed here the night before, Maharajas Express (10/1) showed remarkable resilience to land the spoils in the second race, running on well in the final furlong to score by half a length for David Egan and Ian Williams. Held up in last place after a slightly sluggish start, Maharajas Express had them all to pass as Dickieburd (9/4F) led them through the halfway point. Stuck behind a wall of horses around the home bend, it looked to be an impossible task for Maharajas Express with two furlongs to go, the five-year-old still waiting for the gaps to appear. Granted his wish, Maharajas Express came to life once given space in the final furlong, staying on powerfully down the centre of the track to hold off Bang On The Bell (7/2) in the shadows of the post. Now with over 40 winners for the season, David Egan has also bagged over £1m in prize money for five years in a row!

Race 3 – Raymond & Kathleen Corbett Memorial City Plate Stakes (Listed Race) (Class 1, 3yo+, 7f)

A winner of this race in 2023, Holguin (13/2) made his return to the Roodee a special one when taking his second City Plate in Race 3, keeping on gamely in the closing stages to score by a head for Faleh Bughenaim and Hamad Al Jehani. Midfield for much of the contest, Holguin raced towards the outside of runners in the main, sandwiched between Marvelman (6/4F) and Carrytheone (18/1) to his outer as Witness Stand (11/1) led them around Castle Bend. Ridden along but making steady headway, Holguin started to find his stride upon entering the straight, and despite lugging to his left in the final furlong, ran on bravely under firm handling to lead shortly before the line and deny Witness Stand a second course victory. Another big win for Wathnan Racing, the Qatari owners also had four winners at Royal Ascot in June, including a Group 1 with Lazzat!

Race 4 – St-Germain Hugo Spritz Handicap (Class 4, 3yo, 6f)

Fresh from a winner at yesterday’s meeting, Aidan Keeley and Roger Varian were at it again when taking the fourth race with Miraculous, the 3-y-o gelding extending away nicely at the finish to score by 1 ¼ lengths. Always prominent, Miraculous raced up with the pacesetters through the early stages, travelling strongly up the inside rail behind Veydari (15/2) as the field made their way towards home. Still moving sweetly on the bridle, Miraculous certainly caught the eye passing the two-furlong marker, stalking the leaders into the straight with Queue Dos (9/2) in close company. Delivered to challenge with a furlong to go, Miraculous saw his race out impressively in the closing stages, firmly in command and kicking clear at the line to win going away. Another winner for A D Spence, the winning owner also took a Group 1 Royal Ascot in 2016 with Profitable!

Race 5 – Laurent-Perrier Restricted Maiden Fillies’ Stakes (GBB Race) (Class 5, 3-5yo, 7f)

Second on her last two starts, Latynina (11/8F) deservedly got her head in front for the first time when a stylish winner of Race 5, extending 1 ¾ lengths clear at the line to win for Jason Watson and David O’Meara. Always in control, Latynina was sent to the lead early by Jason Watson, holding sway by around a length from I Can Imagine (15/2) and Spirit Of Jenny (5/1) at the halfway stage. Stepping up the tempo passing the three-furlong marker, Latynina still looked visibly comfortable out in front, her rivals gradually all coming off the bridle to varying degrees as the home straight loomed. Ridden clear, Latynina needed to be kept up to her work with a couple of furlongs to go, but despite her rivals’ best efforts, she ultimately had too up her sleeve. A team to be feared, David O’Meara and Cheveley Park Stud have also shared two Group race victories this season with progressive filly Estrange, including the Pinnacle Stakes and the Lancashire Oaks!

Race 6 – Absolut Vodka Apprentice Handicap (GBBPlus Race) (Class 4, 3yo+, 1m 6 ½f)

Shedding his maiden tag at Ayr just five days prior, Whatsgoingonmarvin (13/8F) was back on the winner’s podium once again when coming home a brave victor of the finale, going on to score by half a length for Poppy Scott and Sir Mark Prescott. Taking a keen hold from the outset, Whatsgoingonmarvin didn’t give his rider much of a choice in the early stages, catapulting himself into the lead as recent course winner Tailorman (13/2) tracked in behind. Negotiating the first mile and a quarter with ease, the leader still travelled notably well coming towards the final couple of furlongs, sauntering around the home turn with a lead of a couple of lengths. Soon chased down by Percy Shelley (4/1) with a furlong to go, Whatsgoingonmarvin was made to pull out all the stops in the closing stages, but despite only winning by half a length, was always doing enough. A fourth career winner secured, this was also Poppy Scott’s first winner at Chester!

Race report by Adam Perkins