Eddery delighted with new Kempton surface
Pat Eddery has given the new all-weather surface at Kempton Park the thumbs up after riding work on two unraced horses.
The 11-times champion, now a fledgling trainer, was full of praise for the Polytrack and has pledged to support it when racing gets underway on March 25.
“Carolyn (Eddery) and I brought down two unraced horses to give them some racecourse experience,” said the multiple Classic-winning Eddery.
“We went just a swinging canter from the seven pole and picked up in the straight, three out. The Polytrack rides really well, Brian (Clifford, clerk of the course) and the team have done a great job and I’m sure everybody who sends horses here will be delighted with the surface.
“We’ll certainly be having plenty of runners here during the course of the year.”
Eddery has some 40 horses in training at Musk Hill, his Buckinghamshire-based private training establishment and is looking forward to his first winner.
“We’ve had two places from just three runs so far but I’m hoping the first winner won’t be too far round the corner!” he said.
Clifford was only too pleased to help out Eddery and also get an expert’s opinion into the bargain.
“Pat first rang me about a fortnight ago to see if he could send a few horses to the track,” he said.
“Of course I said yes, I was only too happy to help him. If he could give us a ringing endorsement people are going to realise the surface is first class.
“He’s an 11-times champion jockey and people are going to pay attention to him.
“We are now all geared up for our first meeting on March 25 and with a bit of luck we will be able to bid for even more fixtures in 2007.”
