Holloway Boy showcased his quality by breaking the course record when securing the William Hill Pomfret Stakes at Pontefract.
Invariably campaigned at a much higher level and a real credit to his connections, Karl Burke’s six-year-old dropped down in class in West Yorkshire and more than justified his 4-5 favourite tag with the third Listed success of his career.
He occupied the ideal position on the rail behind 2024 race winner Point Lynas, who had maintained a strong gallop throughout to make it a two-horse contest as they reached the final bend.
Holloway Boy moved off the rail and into the middle of the track, and needed to work hard to break the Ed Bethell-trained front-runner’s resolve before ultimately cruising past the post with three-quarters of a length in hand.
“It’s always great to get another big winner, but to break the course record is even better,” jockey Clifford Lee told Racing TV.
“He ran against (stablemate) Zeus Olympus the last day at Ascot, finished second just half a length behind him and ran a fantastic race.
“A little bit of a weaker race today, but I was in the box seat. You could almost get stuck in a pocket, but I got the job done.
“I was drawn two and tried to stay two off the rail, but once I knew Ray Dawson (on Model Yuko) was on the outside, I had to sit and suffer, but he didn’t have the horse to finish with and I was able to make the manoeuvre.”
He added: “He was pricking his ears, I didn’t want to be hitting the front too soon, but once I was there I was confident enough to put the stick down and press for the line.”