LORDSBRIDGE BOY (pictured) and Fantastic Flyer combined to give the stable a 50/1 double yesterday with wins on the all-weather at Wolverhampton in the afternoon and on the turf at Newmarket in the evening.
Fantastic Flyer was bidding for back-to-back wins under Joey Haynes and her fourth win in her previous six starts. One of ten runners in the 7 handicap, she was drawn well in stall one and in similar fashion to her last success at Dunstall Park, the Harbour Watch filly made all in cheek-pieces.
The win was not as cosy as the five length demolition job last time out over course and distance but the 2/1 favourite still had half a length to spare at the line over Fly True. Congratulations to winning owner Lesley Ivory, who apparently has some connection with the yard!
The double was completed by 3yo gelding, Lordsbridge Boy, who was one of two stable runners in the 3yo 6f handicap at Newmarket’s July course. He was sent off at 16/1 but the more fancied in the market was Gregorian Girl, who traded at 5/1. The two horses were ridden by 5lb claimers, Sophie Ralston and Cieren Fallon.
Similar to the yard’s earlier winner at Wolves, Lordsbridge Boy made all under Sophie and he was pushed along two out and prevailed at the line, half a length up on stablemate, Gregorian Girl. This was only the sixth race for the son of Equiano and he brought more than a smile to owner Roger Beadle, one of the yard’s major owners. Warmest congratulations to Roger who has enjoyed plenty of success at the yard with Lucymai and more recently with Tangramm.
The yard also had a third with Fighting Temeraire at Newmarket, so it was a good day at the office with two winners, a second and a third from five runners.
Harper Lodge Farm has now had 31 wins and is on course for its best ever season in terms of total wins, which was 39 achieved in both 2013 and last year.