Lordsbridge Boy
LORDSBRIDGE BOY won at Salisbury this afternoon for the first time over five furlongs, having won twice last year over six.
This was only the second time he was running over the minimum distance, having run over it at Windsor last time out. There was a concern over the same going description, Good to Soft but the 4yo gelding battled on gamely to notch his third win in 15 career starts, an impressive 20% strike rate.
The four-year-old gelding tracked the leaders and despite hanging right from over two furlongs out, he went to the front under George Downing over a furlong from home and ran on to hold on by a short diminishing head.
In his previous two wins, at Newmarket and Kempton, the son of Equiano has made all. Despite not being able to do so today, he has hit the front and gamely held the late challenge of the runner-up, this despite the going not because of it.
The winner’s sire, Equiano was pure speed, having been a dual winner of the five furlongs Group One King’s Stand at Royal Ascot and Lordsbridge Boy, while not in that league, has proven today he can handle the minimum trip. He has a willing, competitive attitude, should not go up much for today’s victory and can give his owner, Roger Beadle, more success in the future. Congratulations to Roger, who although he wasn’t on the course, would most certainly have been cheering home the 6/1 second favourite!
Following his win on Badenscoth on Saturday,this was another nice winner for jockey George Downing. Things didn’t pan out for George yesterday aboard Spring Romance in what was a very messy race, so today’s victory will go some way to making amends.
After a slow, quiet summer for Harper Lodge Farm, things seem to be picking up for the yard.
