Anatolia Trophy victory for Leshlaa

Leshlaa was the decisive winner of the Anatolia Trophy, a local G2 over 10 furlongs on Polytrack, at Veliefendi, Turkey, on Saturday, September 2.

The three-year-old Street Cry colt, partnered for the first time by Jimmy Quinn, was slightly slow into stride but soon recovered to race in fifth of the eight runners on the inside.

The pace was steadied on the far side and Leshlaa dropped back to sixth before returning to fifth turning for home.

He was switched out to make a challenge in the straight, went fourth before the distance and ran on well, despite drifting left, inside the final furlong to take the lead in the closing stages. Leshlaa won going away by a length and a half in 2m 4.56s.

Saeed bin Suroor commented: “He ran well to win and I was happy with him.

“Leshlaa was in a nice position all the way and the jockey looked after him – taking him out and challenging in the last furlong to finish strongly and win well.”

Jimmy Quinn added: “The race was run at a slow pace and the leader controlled it.

“Even though the race was not run to suit Leshlaa, he has still won quite well.”