Victoria Stakes 2011 – Banner Bill wins under David Clark, Unbeaten run continues
The two year old colt, Banner Bill, captured the Victoria Stakes and with purse money of $159,244. Named after Queen Victoria, the horse racing extravaganza was initiated in 1903 had its 112th run this year.
Gint Jin, the son of Macho Uno, with an impressive pedigree was part of the race, and, had a fierce duel with Firefall to gain the lead as early as the beginning of the race. On the five furlong turn a bizarre incident occurred, which involved the victor, Banner Bill, and, Distinctly Donovan.
It appeared as if Patrick Husbands, who was riding Distinctly Donovan, had an issue with Banner Bill, when the latter intersected his line to make the five furlong turn. Patrick Husbands protested but Banner Bill survived the foul when the stewards declared him as the winner, officially, this time.
In the seven horse race, the bay son of Rockport Harbour, was in to protect his unblemished record. Banner Bill, who had his big engine pumping, when the race headed towards home, looked likely to grab the race and keep his unbeaten record intact.
Breaking from the outside, Banner Bill had to endure a little bobble, which placed him in the last position. Staring at the wire, which looked far off at that point, Banner Bill, had to make up for lost time.
Jockey, David Clark kept his head and did not change the colt’s position and did not drift into traffic on the inside. Running the fast lane, they say the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. Clark followed this theory to perfection and reached in contention at the top of the line.
At the mid-stretch it was easy for Banner Bill as he coasted past his opponents towards the wire and helped himself to another victory. 58.60 was all the time he needed to complete a fast run and a 5 ¾ length victory on a Poly track.
Banner Bill has surely made his owners R Plus Partners rich, and, a world of good by earning them $90,000 in his unbeaten record. It was a good outing for Jockey David Clark as well, as he bagged his fifth victory in the Victoria Stakes.
The race was run at the Woodbine race track in Toronto. In 1903 the race started off with a distance of five furlongs but on its way to present day, the distance has been altered a few times.
From 1905 to 1955 it remained a five furlong race but from 1956 to 1978 it became a five and a half furlong race but from 1980 till today the race is back at its original distance, attracting 2 year old sprinters to have a go at it.
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