Tom Marquand brought about a fine riding performance on Saturday evening at Meydan to get OH THIS IS US up to win the last. Away a touch slow from the stalls he was driven up to sit just in behind the leaders on the rail. He travelled easily in running and turning for home was still firmly on the bridle and had to be waited with before a gap opened. He pushed through to make his run for the line and managed to gain a solid advantage before holding on late on. ‘I couldn’t be happier for both the owners and Tom to have a winner at the carnival. This was an incredible performance by the team and the horse deserved to get his head in front. He was very unlucky out here last year and so I am glad we managed to get the job done. He will stay out here now for a few more weeks and will run in another handicap a week on Thursday.’
On the same day at Lingfield CONTRAST brought up an across the card double and across country double. He was ridden by Fran Berry and given a perfect ride. He sat in behind the leading pair one off the rail before being asked to quicken inside the final quarter mile. He picked up impressively and hit the line strongly. ‘He needed the other day and seemed to really appreciate the step up in trip. I would say he will go further again in time but I was very happy with how that worked out. He is still slightly raced and I feel he will keep improving. He is a lovely big horse with a long stride and we should have plenty of fun with him this year.’