Redcar report: An extraordinary day of contrasts for winning trainer Beckett
The Hampshire trainer had a 1-8 winner at Redcar when Circios justified short odds under Eddy Greatrex to win The Start Your Racing TV Free Trial Fillies' Novice Stakes.
Twenty minutes later, Beckett watched in disbelief as pacemaker Qirat caused one of the greatest Group 1 upsets when holding on to land the Visit Qatar Sussex Stakes, bursting the bubble of 1-3 favourite Field of Gold in the process.
As if that wasn't enough, Beckett also had two of his horses dead-heat in an earlier race at Goodwood when Saqqara Sands and Tabiti were inseparable in the Group 3 HKJC World Pool Oak Tree Stakes.
Eddy Greatrex was making a rare visit to Redcar and made the long trip north pay off when Circios, a £625,000 daughter of Kingman, owned by Wathnan Racing, pulled clear of Ed Walker's Crystal Dagger by two and three-quarter lengths.
Greatrex said: "She's a pretty straightforward filly who's still learning but she quickened nicely. Hopefully, it's a nice stepping stone to future endeavours."
It was the fourth winner in a fortnight for Greatrex who has rebuilt his career after quitting four years ago due to injury.
The meeting began with a winner in the famous blue silks of Godolphin as Sword Maker justified clear market confidence to strike in the Racing TV Free Trial British EBF Novice Stakes.
The son of Pinatubo, who had been 10th of 12 on his debut at Newmarket, looked to be in trouble two furlongs out but quickly put the rest to the sword inside the final furlong.
The colt is trained at Newmarket by Saeed Bin Suroor and was ridden by PJ McDonald, who said: "The team was confident he'd take a step forward. He was a bit raw in his early paces, but I liked the way he came home."
It was a good day for jockey Jason Hart who scored a quick-fire double on Bamburgh for Middleham's Charlie Johnston and Radiant Beauty for Newmarket's James Owen.
Bamburgh, in first-time cheekpieces, looked a far from straightforward ride but battled through to overcome the challenge of the Craig Lidster-trained Triple Force in the Free Racing TV At Handicap.
Johnston's Travelling Manager Mark Billingham said: "Jason thought he made hard weather of getting past but he ran on quite well in the end. You get the feeling he has more to give."
Radiant Beauty, having her first run for the Owen yard, stretched clear of George Boughey's She's The Duchess in the Marske Fabrications & Engineering Straight Mile Fillies' Handicap.
The daughter of Churchill won in the colours of Scott Turner who also scooped the Group 2 Lennox Stakes with Witness Stand on the opening day of Glorious Goodwood.
York-based Chris Chapman spent his career as an account manager, selling Kit Kats for Nestle, and he enjoyed a big break at Redcar when the horse he part-owns, Carlton and Co, won the Visit Handicap in good style.
The mare is trained at Malton by father and son, Mick and David Easterby, and was positively ridden by Billy Garritty.
Chris said: "Billy was confident and thinks she'll win again. We thought she'd win at Pontefract last time out but she lost a shoe."
The finale, the AJA Novice Flat Amateur Jockeys' Handicap, was a triumph for 18-year-old Rebecca Hitchen, who won on previous course winner, Sandret, trained by Sam England.
"They went a fair pace which suited me," said Yorkshire-born Rebecca, who has now had two winners from four rides – a 50 per cent strike rate!
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