Rod Millman enjoyed a weekend to remember as Just A Spark and David’s Diva completed hat-tricks on the all-weather in the space of 24 hours.
Just A Spark continued her fine strike-rate as she flew home to take a six-furlong handicap at Kempton Park, extending her all-weather record to six wins from nine starts.
Fellow four-year-old David’s Diva overcame a wide trip to claim a seven-furlong fillies’ handicap at Wolverhampton in similarly narrow fashion, having previously scored over a mile at Kempton Park and Southwell.
The victories continued an impressive run of form for the Devon trainer, whose Billy Mill sealed a fifth all-weather victory at Wolverhampton on February 10.
Millman said: “Just A Spark and David’s Diva are two nice fillies who have done us proud. Because we live so far away from the all-weather tracks, we don’t have that many runners through the winter, but the ones we do run have done quite well.
“Just A Spark has come out of Kempton absolutely fine. I thought she did well to win because she had quite a bit of ground to make up after getting caught on heels.
“She is a strong filly and seems to be thriving on her racing. All being well, she will go for a 0-85 at Southwell on March 10, which I think is a fillies-only race.
“David’s Diva will run on the same card in a 0-70 over a mile. Even though she won over seven furlongs last time, I think she is more at home over a mile.
“The handicapper has only put her up 2lb for her latest win. He could not do much more considering she got there on the line, but she did have an outside draw and wide trip, so it was a good performance.
“Billy Mill could go up to Newcastle on March 3. He is unbeaten in two starts there in Racing League handicaps, so the track obviously suits him really well. It’s just a shame that it is so far away from us! It takes us eight hours to get there but we are happy to travel if the prize money is good.”
Doctor Khan Junior is up 8lb to a mark of 99 after he completed a four-timer with a dominant display at Wolverhampton on Saturday. Trainer Geoff Oldroyd has indicated that the Listed Lady Wulfruna Stakes over the course and distance on March 9 could be up next.
The same Wolverhampton card saw the Ralph Beckett-trained Max Vega defy a rating of 106 in the other class two feature handicap over a mile and a half, registering his first win since the 2022 G3 St Simon Stakes.
Elsewhere, Juddmonte runner Fire Demon is now qualified for the Three-Year-Old final after making it two wins from three starts this season for Andrew Balding in a handicap at Kempton Park.
Stable-mate Fivethousandtoone was on the scoresheet at the same course, with the son of Frankel looking a likely contender in the Sprint category following his latest success off 95.
Rossa Ryan continues in flying form as he targets his first All-Weather Champion Jockey title, with the Irishman moving on to 68 winners for the campaign. Billy Loughnane is next best on 49.
The All-Weather Champion Trainer is a different story as we approach the closing month of the season, with Mick Appleby, Charlie Johnston, Roger Varian, Tony Carroll and Andrew Balding separated by only four winners.
