TONY PROCTER rode four winners, including Last Eclipse in the big feature race, as the sun shone on the five-race card for the Great Ormond Street Hospital charity evening at Les Landes on Friday.
There was a crowd of over a 1,000 to watch the Jersey Race Club meet and they were rewarded with a stunning performance from the 33-year-old UK jockey.
Said Procter, from Newbury: ‘It was great, it’s not something you do every day.
It’s certainly my best ever meet performance and the closest I’ve ever come to a clean sweep - my previous best is two wins.
‘I’m absolutely delighted as my daughter was there as well.
‘But it’s trainers Joan Le Brocq and Steven Arthur that do all the hard work — I only ride the horses!’ It was also a fantastic night for the GOSH appeal, with the charity event organiser Cynthia Rumboll delighted with the raising of over £50,000 from the main auction, £6,000 plus from a raffle and £8,000 from a silent auction.
She said: ‘I’m delighted - this is a significant amount to raise in one evening.’ The feature race was the Merrill Lynch Investment Managers’ Handicap over nine furlongs.
Eight went to post for this with Minnie’s Mystery a warm favourite as she continued her build up for the defence of her Jersey Derby crown next month.
Vrubel started well under Jonjo Fowle and led early on from Last Eclipse and Martin’s Sunset.
After a couple of furlongs Vrubel had opened up a six-length lead as they went out onto the far side.
Martin’s Sunset under Vince Slattery, and Last Eclipse ridden by Procter, began to close on the leader as they turned for home.
Minnie’s Mystery, piloted by Cory Adamson, was beginning to run on well and an exciting finish ensued.
With the runners spread across the track Vrubel, Last Eclipse, and Martin’s Sunset were inseparable at the distance, but in the final few yards Last Eclipse just got the better of Vrubel to win by a neck, with Martin’s Sunset only a head away in third.
Full report in today’s JEP.
Article posted on 28th June, 2004 - 12.00am
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