Eroy dominates on return

EROY announced his return to form with an impressive 10-length win in yesterday’s Ash Wednesday Trophy, dismissing VICTORY TURN approaching the home turn before running away under Omar Walker, clocking a fast 1:18.3 at six and a half furlongs.

The United States-bred four-year-old colt had struggled to find his way back to the winners’ enclosure at the back end of last season. However, he chased home speedy ENGLAND’S ROSE at five furlongs round on January 2 and returned off a six-week break brimming with fitness.

EROY’s time bettered another American’s sparkling victory, Wayne DaCosta’s three-year-old filly, LURE OF LUCY, who posted 1:19.0 in the previous race, going gate-to-wire with Anthony Thomas against local-bred non-winners of two races.

LURE OF LUCY closed a three-timer for joint champion jockey, Anthony Thomas, who leapfrogged injured claiming rider, Oshane Nugent, to grab a one-win lead in the riders’ standings with 14 winners.

Thomas won back-to-back races for trainer Steven Todd, AWESOME AVIATOR and REIGNING KING, in the third and fourth events, respectively.

Racing continues on Saturday.