Newmarket report: Robert Eddery finally hits the jackpot on July Course
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Tue 5 Dec 2023
Robert Eddery finally hit the jackpot at Newmarket’s July Course after Graceful Lady provided him with his first winner at the track in the Stan Holdstock 80th Birthday Handicap.
Out of luck on his previous visits to the course, the Newmarket handler saw his fortunes change after the six-year-old opened her account for the campaign in the two-mile contest.
Warming to the task as the race wore on, the daughter of Sixties Icon put her assured stamina to good use when forging clear of her rivals late on before scoring by six lengths.
newmarket
17:30 Newmarket - Saturday August 10
Eddery said of the 14-1 winner: “I’ve had lots of winners at the other track (Rowley Mile), but I’ve never had a winner here. I’ve had seconds and thirds and I’ve had one run 100 yards with a hood on!
“It’s very pleasing as she usually takes two or three runs to come to hand. I nearly pulled her out of the race this morning because of the ground. I was hoping for showers, but they never came and it just shows horses can prove you wrong.”
A return to the Rowley Mile could be on the agenda later on in the season with Eddery earmarking the Cesarewitch Trial as a possible option.
He added: “There is a race at Pontefract next Sunday over two miles and she could go there. I usually have an autumn campaign with her and she won a class three at the Rowley Mile last year, so we could look at the Cesarewitch Trial as she will get in that.”
Richard Hannon is starting to see his faith in Qaysar be rewarded after the gelded son of Choisir made it two wins in the space of a week when backing up his victory at Newbury on Tuesday in the BBAG Germany’s Yearling Sales Handicap.
newmarket
16:20 Newmarket - Saturday August 10
Hannon said of the 9-4 winner: “He is coming good, but I always thought he was decent.
“As time goes on he is starting to get better. I thought he would win the Britannia at one stage. I think the Cambridgeshire could be an option.”
Having teamed up to take the Sea The Moon “Newcomers” Maiden Fillies’ Stakes 12 months ago with Shambolic, trainer John Gosden and Rab Havlin repeated the feat as Leafhopper (9-4) held off Thread Of Silver by a head to initiate a double for the pair.
Gosden said: “She has done nice, sensible work at home, nothing flashy. She has not worked off the bridle, so when she came off it today it was a new experience. She has got a bit of scope about her.”
Waldstern made the most of a drop down in class and trip to complete Gosden’s and Havlin’s brace when obliging by two and a quarter lengths in the Royal British Legion Handicap.
newmarket
16:55 Newmarket - Saturday August 10
Gosden said of the 11-2 winner: “He made a winning debut here last year, but then I ran him over too far in the Bahrain Trophy as he didn’t stay, so we brought him back in trip.
“The lad who looks after him has done a great job with him and he deserves more praise than me.”
Tomfre made it two wins from as many visits to the track when completing a hat-trick of victories on his first try over seven furlongs in the Poppy Nursery Handicap.
Owner Joan Snow said: “We were going the extra furlong today, but I think that is his distance now. Rob Hornby worked him last week and said he was a bit lazy at home, but he comes alive on the track.”
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