Barrie Dreaper
Advised last week at 5/4 as a Maximum bet, confidence was rewarded as Eden Star landed the Puppy Derby in from of he Sky Camera’s on Tuesday night.
Reoprted by the Racing Post; Trapping cleanly, the son of Top Savings unleashed an exceptional burst of early pace to quicken away from his big-race opponents. Five lengths clear at halfway, the Barrie Draper-trained railer held the brave challenge of Farloe Mysterio by a length and a quarter in 28.51sec.
There might not have been many people at Wimbledon – understandably so, with people in the surrounding area still on tenterhooks following the previous night’s London rioting – but a huge cheer went up when Eden Star hit the front.
It was an emotional success for the Draper family. Albert Draper, part-owner of Eden Star, died earlier this summer, and his son Trevor said: “That was a goodresult for the family. I might not be showing it, but I’m excited inside. It’s all turned out good on the night.”
Eden Star, similar in physique, colour and ability to his illustrious sire, is clearly already major four-bend force and,with ample scope for further improvement, seems destined to win further top prizes.
Eden Star, sent off 8-13 for the Puppy Derby, was the only winning Sky favourite on a difficult night for punters. Even Jimmy Lollie, a 1-3 shot, and seeking a six-timer in the sprint over 273 metres, was turned over, failing to recover from a stumble at the start and going down by a length and a quarter to 20-1 local Pigalle Star.
