THE refreshment queues readily outnumbered the paucity of runners at a sultry Salisbury on Saturday evening when seven horses were withdrawn from the 43 acceptors on the six-race card.

However, the executive is not considering a reframed fixture in a kneejerk reaction, recognising the summer sauna as the underlying cause of the below average fields.

Though it had been well watered during the week, the ground was still riding good to firm, firm in places.

"It's a combination of a lot of racing across the country, the heat and fast ground," course supremo Jeremy Martin said of the scarcity.

"I've walked the course twice today, the second time at 4pm, and it was so hot that I didn't think I would get back!

“All we can do is to look after those who are running and ensure they have plenty of water."

Ironically it was a glut that defeated the course last year when incessant rain waterlogged the track!

Certainly, the equine shortage did not deter a bumper crowd of some 8,000 who, if they did not witness quantity, certainly saw a flash of quality when Truth Or Dare impressively landed the seven furlong maiden for two-year-olds.

Richard Hannon made no secret the colt should have won at the last meeting when beaten by a stable companion after repeatedly baulked. Clearly holding him in some regard, the trainer said: "The fact Richard (Hughes) dashed here from Newmarket tells you a lot. He is still quite a weak horse but we will run in a smart race over seven or a mile next time."

Hannon had earlier won his 12th race at the track this season when the cheaply bought Our Queenie took the opener as easily as an odds on shot should and with his handicap; rating is destined for the nursery route.

Hopes of a Hannon/Hughes treble however were thwarted in the closing one mile handicap when the pace setting Fleeting Smile was ruthlessly swept aside as Magic of Reality just held the tenacious Saucy Minx.

Hughes however grabbed a third winner to cement his lead in the jockeys championship on Sunny Future who not so much won the 12 furlong handicap as faint hearted runner-up Dumbarton threw it away after heading the winner at the distance.

"I thought he was beaten," trainer Malcolm Saunders confessed. "But Richard didn't. He wanted something to come up and join him. He said he gave him one smack and that was it."

Though a veteran of 40 races, Sunny Future still gets nervous in the stalls and doesn't enjoy the heat, dripping with sweat as he was unloaded from his horsebox. "We have fitted him with a hood this season and that has made all the difference with him."

Longest price of the night was Mambo Spirit who drifted like a barge in the betting ring in the six furlong handicap. However his punting connections were naturally delighted with his 12/1 starting price!

"He needs a stiff six furlongs and the track is perfect for him," trainer Tony Newcombe explained. "He has to be covered up and come through horses and Martin Dwyer did that perfectly. We picked him up for £2,000 and he's won three races for us this year.

"When James Given trained him, he was running off a mark of 80. He has come down a little since then but I think he's more consistent now."