Eternal Hope realises G3 aspirations in Jockey Club Oaks

Eternal Hope scored the biggest win of her career so far when flashing home in the G3 Jockey Club Oaks at Aqueduct, USA, on Saturday, 16 September.

The Teofilo homebred, successful in the Listed Oaks Trial on the all-weather at Lingfield Park in the spring, raced in a clear last of the seven runners following a sluggish break.

Stephanie’s Charm blazed off into a 12-length lead over Quarrel, who herself opened up daylight over the rest of the field, with the Charlie Appleby-trained Eternal Hope still last as the tearaway leader came back to the pack turning in.

Eternal Hope quickened powerfully down the centre of the straight under Jamie Spencer, collaring Neecie Marie in the final strides for a neck success.

Jamie Spencer said: “It wasn’t the plan to be where I was, but I was a step slow from the gate and played the hand I was dealt. We were quite spread out but I wasn’t too far off Javier [Castellano] and I thought he was one of the ones to beat, so I was keeping an eye on him.

“I had to give a bit of ground away on the bottom turn and this track is very tight on the inside. It was a little bit alien to Eternal Hope but, when she straightened up, she put her head down and got stuck in.

“I think she ran a career best last time out at Deauville and has come forward from that. The ground is very firm here and she might be better with a kinder track – I think she would have beaten them more easily otherwise.”