The eyes of the racing world may have been focused on York’s Ebor Festival this week but that did not stop Kempton Park’s afternoon card on Friday 20th August throwing up some interesting stories.

We sent Graham Clark along to speak to the winning connections....

RAY DAWSON CONTINUES PURPLE PATCH ABOARD MO’ASSESS JUST HOURS AFTER SECURING BIGGEST VICTORY OF HIS CAREER

Jockey Ray Dawson admitted his Group Two success aboard Zain Claudette in the Lowther Stakes at York on Thursday 19th August “had yet to sink in” after securing his first ever victory at Kempton Park aboard Mo’Assess in division one of the Unibet New Instant Roulette Novice Stakes.

Twenty four hours after landing the biggest victory of his career on the Knavesmire, the 28 year old rider was back among the winners after the Saeed bin Suroor-trained Pivotal colt defied a penalty in the mile prize to follow up his last time out course and distance success.

Finding plenty from the front the 5-4 second favourite, who was wearing first time cheekpieces, quickly opened up a sizeable advantage down the home straight before holding debutant Emblem Empire at bay by two and three-quarter lengths.

Dawson said: “Yesterday was a magical day and it is still hasn’t really sunk in. It just seems a bit surreal but at the same time it was very enjoyable.”

On Mo’Assess he added: “He is a very nice horse and will improve with every run. The cheekpieces have definitely helped. He is quite a big animal so he will only keep improving.

“He gives you a feel that he is not doing a whole lot as he is such a big horse. He almost fools you that he isn’t doing a whole lot and you just want to make sure of things on a track like this as they come from behind quite often.

“He felt very good and has done it very well. He would definitely get a mile and a quarter and he is made for that and possibly a mile and a half but he is good enough to do it over a mile.”

REGALLY-BRED NATASHA EARNS CAZOO OAKS QUOTE

Natasha received a 33-1 quote for next year’s Cazoo Oaks at Epsom Downs with Paddy Power following her facile success in the Try Our New Price Boosts At Unibet Fillies’ Novice Stakes.

Having finished second on her debut at the track 18 days ago the John and Thady Gosden-trained daughter of Frankel, who is a half-sister to triple Group One winner Almanzor, put that experience to good use to collect the mile event by five lengths.

Robert Havlin, winning rider, said of the 8-11 winner: “She has come on a fair bit for that first run and she had a real good blow last time.

“She was green when I put her in daylight the last day. She was like a rabbit caught in the headlights when I took her into space the last day.

“She was getting a little bit lonely there but I was mindful to make her work to the line.

“I think she will improve again. She will be a nice middle distance filly for next year. She had a wide draw but she is a quick learner.”

TEENAGE JOCKEY MIA BIGGS CELEBRATES FIRST CAREER VICTORY ON JUST HER SECOND RIDE

There was no wiping the smile off the face of apprentice jockey Mia Biggs who was “taken by surprise” after celebrating the first success of her career aboard Mudlahhim in the Unibet 3 Uniboosts A Day Handicap.

The 18 year old, who is the daughter of former jockey Darren Biggs, celebrated the landmark moment on just her second ride in public aboard the Tamayuz gelding, who was making his stable debut for Kevin Philippart de Foy

Getting a dream run up the rail in the seven furlong event the well-supported 11-4 favourite only needed to be nudged out by Biggs to defeat recent Catterick scorer Toussarok by half a length.

Biggs said: “It was great and he was lovely. He jumped out well and we got a good position on the rail and I just kept kicking. It is a great feeling to get that first winner.

“I’m 18 and I’ve been riding since I could sit up. Dad was a jockey and mum is a racing secretary to Sean Woods.

“That was my second ride and it has definitely taken me by surprise I’ve got a winner so early but it is massive thanks to Kevin really.

“I work for Kevin and he is lovely and he has been great. I’m not sure how to celebrate it, I just need to get my breath back first!”

SCOTTISH OUTING ON AGENDA FOR TYGER BAY

Trainer Conrad Allen has his sights set on a trip north of the border with Tyger Bay, who secured his third success at the track this year after collecting the six-furlong Try Our New Super Boosts At Unibet Handicap

Allen said of the 100-30 winner: “He should have won six times this year but he hit the front at Bath and Windsor too soon. He just wants a good pace to aim at.

“This track suits him ideally. He surprised me as I thought he would have to really work for it.

“He is in the Ayr Gold Cup but I don’t think he will get in that but he should get in the Bronze Cup so we will have a look at that. Next year he should be a Saturday horse.”

FIRST SUCCESS FOR WALDLOWE

Waldlowe (11-8 Favourite) gained a deserved first success when demonstrating an admirable attitude to defeat The Turpinator, who was making his first start in 662 days, by a neck in division two of the Unibet New Instant Roulette Novice Stakes.

John O’Donoghue, assistant to winning trainer Roger Varian, said: “He travelled incredibly well turning in. The fast finishing runner-up might have got there too early but he stayed on well although it got a little bit hairy.

“He has got a good attitude and thankfully he has won as he deserved it. It is great for connections as he could be a nice horse for the future.”