By Gordon Brown
GRANT TUER continued his hot streak at Hamilton Park yesterday when he saddled a double courtesy of Illusionist and Gunnerside.
The North Yorkshire trainer struck with the former, ridden by Sam James, in the hamilton-park.co.uk Cadzow Castle Handicap with odds-on chance Gunnerside gaining a narrow victory in the concluding apprentice handicap.
Tuer, a tall, former amateur jump jockey, said: “I thought Illusionist was a bargain when we picked him up the sales a couple of years ago for 13,000gns as he was a nice two-year-old and came fifth in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot. We sent him to the Royal meeting on his first run for us last June and he was sixth in the five-furlong handicap.
“That was his first win for us today and he was well worth stepping back up in trip. He’s handled he ground well and we’re planning to come back here for a £30,000 Class 2 race over course and distance next Thursday.”
Tricorn also earned himself a return trip to Hamilton Park, in his case in August, after impressing in the Book Our On-Site Hotel Handicap under Andrew Mullen.
Winning trainer Iain Jardine said: “He’s in smart form and we’ve managed to iron out one or two little things with him. We look after him at home and he does his own thing and I’m delighted a couple of his owners were here to see him.
“He deserves a crack at a decent race so we’re aiming him at the Lanark Silver Bell back here later in the season. He’ll obviously run before then but that could be a realistic target for him.”
For more information contact Gordon Brown on 07850 258063 for Scottish Racing