11th May 2024, Jockey Jason Watson
Wow, what a little champ Kotari has been over recent weeks!
Since winning for the first time on the flat at Windsor on 15th April, Kotari’s confidence has just blossomed! He followed his first win up with another win at Salisbury on 5th May with softer ground underfoot before only 6 days later heading to Ascot for a competitive Class 3 handicap over 1m4f carrying a 5lbs penalty and it was arguably a career best race from Kotari!
The young horse looked in fine fettle in the preliminaries and with Jason Watson back on board the pair tracked their way around the race towards the rear of the field. Jason chose to bring the horse across to the rail and with 2 furlongs to go Kotari was the last off the bridle! The gaps just kept coming for him up the home straight and as Kotari hit the front he really rallied to keep his position as he hit the line a comfortable winner.
We were all absolutely over the moon and Kotari was cheered back into the winners enclosure by a crowd of elated Owners! Jason gave the horse a peach of a ride and feels there is more improvement to come from Kotari, especially with the ground a little softer.
It was one of HOTSR’s favourite days racing – what a feeling to have a winner at Ascot on a Saturday and we were so well looked after!
Kotari has come out of his latest win extremely well. He’s enjoyed plenty of downtime in the sun as well as been promoted to a bigger stable with plenty of windows! He’s been raised 10lbs by the handicapper which opens up some interesting options and some juicy targets could certainly be on the horizon for Kotari now.
All of the official photographs can be found on the racecourse photographer – Megan Rose’s – website
Leave a Reply