2012 Racing Post Trophy

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Kingston Hill Claims Racing Post Trophy Glory
26/10/13

1 Kingston Hill 7/2F
2 Johann Strauss 9/1
3 Altruistic 14/1
11 ran Distances: 4l, 2l, nk
TIME 1m 44.83s (slow by 8.03s)

Roger Varian is dreaming of Classic success next year after Kingston Hill continued the Newmarket trainer's love affair with Doncaster by winning the Racing Post Trophy.

Kingston Hill
Racehorse Photos

His first ever runner, Eton Forever, was a winner on Town Moor on April 2, 2011, when he took over the reins at Kremlin House stables after the late Michael Jarvis retired.

Kingston Hill only made his debut five weeks ago and after winning the Group Three Autumn Stakes at Newmarket on his second start, Varian and owner Paul Smith took the decision to supplement the colt at a cost of 17,500 on Monday, and it paid off.

It was a brave move by Smith, who is the son of Coolmore's Derrick Smith, co-owner of runner-up Johann Strauss.

Racing in mid-division through the early stages, Kingston Hill was asked to quicken well over a furlong out by Andrea Atzeni and the response was immediate, with the Mastercraftsman colt lengthening to stretch emphatically clear in the closing stages, beating Johann Strauss by four and a half lengths as the 7-2 favourite.

Altruistic was third for trainer-jockey Johnny Murtagh, but the well-fancied Century was one of the first of the market principals to be beaten and trailed home last.

"We were looking forward to what improvement there was to come from him and he's the first colt to win to win a Group One for us. It's been with fillies before," said Varian, who is ending the year on a real high having seen his yard hit with a virus in the summer.

Investec Derby.

Racing Post Trophy (Group 1) (Str)
264,000 added, 2yo only, 1m, Class 1
11 ran
Going: Soft