Copper shines again at the track he loves
LIKE the 20,000 crowd that rocked up at York yesterday on the opening day of the Ebor meeting, local hero Copper Knight showed he also loves the place when landing his sixth victory at the track.
Unlike last year when the meeting was played out to an empty racecourse due to coronavirus restrictions, the public came in the droves, on a par with the attendance of two years ago.
Despite being ignored in the betting, Copper Knight, an 18-1 shot, was a popular winner after taking the Sky Bet And Symphony Handicap in the capable hands of David Allan.
“He’s an absolute legend in the yard,” said Allan.
“I’ve not had a feel like that off him for a couple of years. I thought it was good ground – perfect for him.”
Winning trainer Tim Easterby played down his role when remarking: “He’s easy to train and is just a super horse. He just loves it here.”
St Leger clues were thin on the ground after Yibir took the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur, a trusted trial for the Doncaster Classic, in the hands of James Doyle.
“He won’t be running in the Leger as he’s now a gelding,” said winning trainer Charlie Appleby. “He will instead head for the Jockey Club Stakes at Belmont.”