East India Dock Cruises to Deeply Impressive Triumph Trial Victory

Sub-headline

East India Dock swept effortlessly to victory by 10 lengths and more in the Group 3 Godolphin Stud & Stable Staff Awards Triumph Trial Stakes at Newbury on Saturday as he recorded his third career success from as many starts in the colours of his breeder H.H. Sheikh Khalifa Musafa.

Sub-headline

The son of Kodiac only made his debut at Chelmsford City in November but bolted up by 19 lengths and then doubled his tally over today’s course and distance by 14 lengths. This success has landed him a ticket to the QIPCO 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 6.

Sub-headline

It was the old Bailey to the line and the further he went the more the Charlie Hills-trained colt found. The 15/8 favourite was settled at the rear of the field by Kieran Shoemark, who is enjoying a fantastic season with 37 domestic winners already. He was travelling well on the outside around the home turn and was asked for his effort from the two-furlong marker.

Sub-headline

He drew level with the leaders inside the final furlong and then quickly asserted his class, powering away from the remainder to cross the line an emphatic winner. The well-regarded Alzahir, who like East India Dock is a Guineas entry, was second and the previously unbeaten Majestic Pride in third.

Sub-headline

Charlie Hills, who was winning the Triumph Trial Stakes for the second time after Dark Vision in 2006, said: “I’m delighted with that, he did it well off a strong pace. He is a very straightforward horse who has got a lovely attitude and has taken everything in his stride and Kieran gave him a great ride.

Sub-headline

“I’ve never had a horse who has won over five furlongs and one mile and we wanted to come here to see if he would get the trip. Hopefully, from this we will progress onto a Guineas trial in the Greenham Stakes at Newbury on April 15. We think he is up to that level and we need to find out now whether we go that route or we go straight to the Guineas. I think he would be fine on either Newmarket mile.”

Sub-headline

Kieran Shoemark added: “I was really impressed with him, he was a bit keen early on and then slotted in lovely. When I asked him to go there he quickened nicely. I think he will get any trip from five to a mile. He has a lot of natural pace and he travels well so I can see him getting 10 furlongs or even further next season. He is a lovely horse for the future.”