Cesarewitch: Withhold breaks track record to land gamble at Newmarket
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Tue 5 Dec 2023
Watch the closing stages of the Betfred Cesarewitch won by Withhold in record time at Newmarket on Saturday and Lydia hislop's interviews with Roger Charlton and Silvestre De Sousa.
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By Racinguk.com staff
Withhold landed a big gamble when he powered clear of his rivals in the Betfred Cesarewitch at Newmarket.
The four-year-old had run just once previously this season, finishing third at Newbury three weeks ago on what was his first start since joining Roger Charlton from the yard of Charlie Hills.
With champion jockey-elect Silvestre de Sousa in the saddle, the 5-1 favourite was never too far off the pace and was sent into the lead before the home turn.
After having taken a few strides out of the field, De Sousa angled towards the stands' rail and Withhold saw out the marathon distance well to score by three and three-quarters of a length.
London Prize was second and Lagostovegas third.
Withhold is owned by gambler Tony Bloom and was bought in the Tattersalls Horses In Training Sale 12 months ago for 170,000 guineas. After securing the £155,625 for the winner Charlton revealed the full extent of the planning behind the win.
"I was very lucky as some very good judges decided that this was the horse to be bought at the Horses In Training Sale," he said.
"I insisted on the horse being gelded, Champs Elysees' improve and he had proved he stayed two miles so I thought if we didn't run him, he wouldn't go up the handicap.
"We waited until three weeks ago and ran him over a mile and a half, where I thought he ran very well, the form has worked out quite well. From there it was just a question of presenting him on the day.
"If we had run him a few times he would have had to be 10-12lb higher so we waited and the horse has improved whilst he has been sitting in his box not running and the handicap doesn't go up."
When asked about his knowledge of a gamble, the trainer was more than happy to confirm that he informed connections that everything was in place.
"Everyone did their due diligence and I was asked just before the race if everything was okay, and I said, 'yes.'
"I have no idea whether a 'gamble' was landed but I did notice he was well backed.
"Everything went very smoothly but it doesn't always go like that, which makes it all the more rewarding when it does go well.
"I think he's a good stayer, why wouldn't he end up being a player in Group races and the way he's demolished today's rivals you would have to think he can win more races."
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