Favorite backers sweated before finally collecting their winnings when Point Lonsdale claimed victory in the IRE-Incentive, It Pays To Buy Irish Huxley Stakes at Chester.
Successful in four of his five junior starts two years ago, the Australian colt only made it to the racecourse once as a three-year-old, finishing in the field in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.
However, having shown his talent remains intact with a comeback win in the Group Three Alleged Stakes at the Curragh last month, he had a 5-6 chance to give trainer Aidan O’Brien a fourth win at Huxley. Stakes and finally got the job done. albeit professionally.
Point Lonsdale and Ryan Moore win the Huxley Stakes
It was not an easy watch for his supporters, with Ryan Moore paddling in the saddle a long way from home behind leader Poker Face.
But to his credit, Point Lonsdale kept responding to his jockey’s impulses and after hitting the front in the straight, he had enough in hand to remove Mujtaba’s late charge by a neck.
Moore said: “He was a good two-year-old who won a List race, a Group Three and a Group Two, but he wasn’t around for most of last year.”
“It wasn’t very pretty, was it? It’s a real gallop and I probably haven’t been on a tight track like this before.”
“He’s really only been to the Curragh, Leopardstown and Ascot and he wasn’t sure what to do with himself.
“Today’s race was up to scratch and the track didn’t suit him, but he has a great attitude to be fair to him and a lot of skill. It was a very good performance.”
