Strong Suit eliminated Red Jazz’s hopes to win the Lennox Stakes, as he along Richard Hughes sealed a famous win at Glorious Goodwood
The 3-year-old chestnut colt, Strong Suit, trained by Richard Hannon for owner Mrs. J. Wood flexed his muscles to impressively win the English Grade 2 bet365 Lennox Stakes at the opening day of Glorious Goodwood on 26 July, 2011.
Ridden by Richard Hughes, the colt travelled a fast race finishing off his foes in 1 minute and 25.65 seconds.
Richard Hughes was rewarded handsomely for riding a magnificent ride, and on top of it Hughes picked up £140,000 prize money at the end of the race, leaving behind Red Jazz
The Rahy colt, was held off the pace in the seven furlong event, as if Hughes knew exactly he was doing.
It seemed as if Hughes wanted Strong Suit to have a good look at his eight rivals, before he took him for a strong drive.
Strong Suit displayed an explosive acceleration, as he bolted past seven others to assume second place in the race with half a mile to go.
Just a slightly older Red Jazz, ridden by jockey, Michael Hills, and Strong Suit were left heading strongly towards the wire.
Matching stride with stride, the two colts conjured up incredible speed. The duel rattled Red Jazz’s cage and he couldn’t compete with Strong Suit’s level.
Entering the final furlong, Strong Suit comfortably took over as if he way toying around with Red Jazz.
Pulled away in emphatic style for a one and a half length victory over B. W. Hills trained Red Jazz.
Strong Suit was up against older horses for the first time in his career, and went on to bag his second victory out of 4 starts this season.
The previous one came in the Group 3 Jersey Stakes held at the Ascot on 15 June, 2011.
It was his optimum distance of seven furlongs against eight other horses, ridden by his usual mount, Richard Hughes; the pair followed the same technique, slow from the outset then charged towards the wire.
Tracked leaders to begin with but went well, shook up things to lead over 1 furlong out, decided to switch sides as they shifted slightly left on the inside and always looked comfortable, beating their rival Codemaster by ½ a length.
Trainer Richard Hannon has plans to take the colt to France, to participate in the Group 1 Prix de la Foret, the race will be approximately 7 furlongs, 6.96 furlongs to be exact.
Jockey Richard Hughes picked it up from where he left it last year, when he won the top jockey at Goodwood. Richard Hughes started his illustrious Goodwood career back in 2000, and since then the top rider has earned 99 wins there.
The Arkansas bred Strong Suit fits just fine on Richard Hannon, as the trainer plans big for his champion colt.
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