We are all smiles at Epsom Lodge today after the win by well-loved old warrior London Stripe at Seymour today. Despite giving the second horse 3 years in age and 2.5kg in weight, London Stripe belied his veteran status to record a first-up win in the United Insurance Group BM78 over 1400m.
Jockey Steven Arnold – who has teamed up successfully with London Stripe in the past – rode a clever race, to have the horse just in the right place at just the right time to score a soft win by just under a length.
Congratulations to owners Steve, Christie and Sally who bought London Stripe at a Team Williams dispersal and have enjoyed wins with him at Moonee Valley and Caulfield, as well as several close placings. He is still only lightly raced, so hopefully there is more fun to come with him.
Well done to all of the Epsom Lodge staff and our fantastic farriers, vets, and therapists. It takes the energy and committment of a dedicated team to keep horses like London Stripe sound, happy and at the peak of fitness so that they can bring out their best on race day. Well done to master trainer Pat too. As Steven Arnold said in his post-race interview:
"Pat said London Stripe would go well today, and he's not a bad judge!"