Rewritten Article:
Harry Davies’ Impressive Win: Breaks Chester Cup Record
Harry Davies, the 20-year-old jockey, has made history at the roiChester Cup, becoming the first jockey in 20 years to win back-to-back on East India Dock.
Riding for trainer James Owen, Davies timed his winning run perfectly in the closing stages to provide the rising training force with its biggest success to date.
East India Dock, a dual-purpose horse, finished strongly to win by a length and justify the decision to switch codes.
Davies commented, ‘I’m very lucky and he won a shade cosily in the end. Every year I’ve ridden in this race I don’t think I’ve had a bad ride… He had the perfect profile coming into it…
Owen was understandably thrilled with the victory. He only started training on a full licence at the start of 2023 and has quickly developed into one of Britain’s leading trainers.
How did other key players fare?
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- Hugo Palmer was equally pleased with Zoffee, who finished in the first three in the race for the third year in a row. He said,
‘It was a huge run. We’ve been beaten by two better handicapped horses on the day… He’s getting older and we don’t want to overrace him this year, and I expect he’ll be back here next year.’
- George Scott’s horse Caballo De Mar‘s winning spree just came to an end, finishing second. Scott reflected,
‘He didn’t really love the track, but he ran a monster race… He’s got his whole future ahead of him in this sphere and he’ll go to Royal Ascot now.’
What’s next for the rising stars?
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East India Dock is set to head to Royal Ascot, potentially targeting the Ascot Stakes. Owen hinted at further big-race plans, commenting, ‘He’ll go to Royal Ascot now, where the Ascot Stakes could be the race for him. I don’t know the races, but I’m learning them quickly.’
Meanwhile, Davies will look to build on his stellar Chester form. Asked about his secret to success, he modestly replied, ‘I’ve got a lot of people around me who are good at their jobs… I’ve just got to keep doing what I’m doing.’
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FAQ
Why is East India Dock suited to dual-purpose racing?
Dual-purpose horses like East India Dock thrive in both flat and jump racing due to their robust build, adaptability, and versatility. Their ability to handle different track conditions and challenge types makes them valuable additions to anyyard.