Mark Johnston annoys Australians with Scenic Blast comments

Australian sprinters Scenic Blast and Takeover Target worked at Newmarket on Friday ahead of the July Cup next Friday.

Scenic Blast's trainer Danny Morton told PA Sport: "It was all good and he came through it with no worries. We just have to keep him ticking over now.

"He's a fitter horse than he was at Ascot, but he needs to be as it's six furlongs and it's a different ball game.

"Obviously it's a different track as well, but he's where he needs to be."

Joe Janiak, trainer of Takeover Target, said: "Everything went well and he seems in good form. He is all set for the July Cup now and we are looking forward to it."

Incidentally, Mark Johnston seems to have got up Australian noses with comments about Scenic Blast on his website.

The Middleham handler said: "I think you all know that I’m not one of the ‘smoking syringe’ theorists and that I, generally, believe that British racing is not only the ‘cleanest’ racing in the world but it is, in my opinion, one of the cleanest sports. However, I still can’t help but wonder how it is possible to get a son of a moderate National Hunt sire [Scenic], which in turn is a son of Sadler’s Wells, to look like a cross between Alan Wells and a Quarter Horse and to win a Group One race over five furlongs. I suppose we can only conclude that they must be much better trainers."

The comments are attracting much adverse reaction on Australian websites.