After a miserable Wednesday the sun was shining at a very busy Sandown Park last night. Most had not come to see the equine talent on show as they were there to watch Olly Murs after racing but the horses did not know that and it was great to have an atmosphere at the Esher Venue. Wealth Tax had won well at Nottingham the week previously and given he was a pound well in with conditions to suit, we were confident he would run a big race.
Finley Marsh soon had our grey gelding tracking the leaders during the early exchanges after he broke on terms from the stalls. Wealth Tax settled beautifully and travelled well as the field went along at an even pace. The second favourite High Draw slipped away from the field around the bend for home but he did not accumulate an uncomfortable lead and our gelding soon had him in his sights. Bridge of Sighs and Wealth Tax were the two horses travelling best as the leaders approached the final furlong and our horse hit the front at the furlong pole when asked to go and win his race. He edged ahead and shifted to his left slightly under pressure, thankfully he was far enough clear not to cause interference and he gamely galloped up the Sandown hill to defeat the long time leader High Draw by a length with Bridge Of Sighs just in behind.
This was a tough performance from Wealth Tax and he had to work much harder here to win than he had at Nottingham a week previously. He has earned a well deserved mini-break now and we hope there is some soft ground about when he is ready to return to action. The handicapper may nudge him up a pound or two but given he was a pound well in and he only won by a length, he cannot put him up too far. Finley Marsh gave him a very good ride and this win meant he is now only three winners away from losing his seven pound claim.
Congratulations to the gelding’s joint owners MHS Partners, we are delighted that Wealth Tax has given you some fun days at the races and we hope there are more to come in the future. This was our 31st winner of the season and it was Wealth Tax’s third in 2017. Well done to all the team at La Grange.