A mud-spattered Colombian is driven out to win at Sandown on Saturday
PICTURE: Martin Lynch (racingpost.com/photos)Colombian grinds out Gordon Richards win
Report: Sandown, Saturday
bet365 Gordon Richards Stakes (Group 3) 1m2f, 4yo+
COLOMBIAN ground down determined front-runner Poet to claim a gruelling victory under jockey William Buick.
In what could only be described as testing conditions for Flat racing, Poet was roused into the lead by Ryan Moore with Colombian sitting in his slipstream.
Kicking offthe home turn, Poet went for glory, his seemingly relentless stride continuing up the tiring Sandown straight.
Too tiring for Twice Over, who weakened afterbeing ridden to challenge three furlongs out, and at one stage looking too tiring for the John Gosden-trained Colombian as well.
But Colombian and jockey William Buick were not done and in a seemingly endless final furlong they overhauled Poet before stretching out to a three-length win.
Gosden said: "Conditions were demanding, but he handled similar in France, where he practically lived last year, travelling so often he had a 'frequent flyer' pass for the tunnel.
"No horse loves that ground, but he handled it. He did it well, as he was beaten, then came back, and showed a lot of guts."
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