Eternal Hope refuses to be denied in G2 Sands Point Stakes

Eternal Hope completed back-to-back Graded Stakes wins at Aqueduct, USA, as she bravely repelled Neecie Marie in the G2 Sands Point Stakes on Saturday, 14 October.

Only a neck had separated the two fillies in last month’s G3 Jockey Club Oaks, although the duo were reopposing over two furlongs shorter on rain-softened ground, with Eternal Hope 2lb worse off at the weights.

Eternal Hope broke on terms and initially raced wide in fourth as Leave No Trace made the early running. The daughter of Teofilo took closer order as the field bunched halfway down the back, with Neecie Marie also making a move around runners.

Neecie Marie and Eternal Hope quickened to dispute the running over a furlong from home, with the Godolphin homebred finding more under Jamie Spencer in the closing strides to prevail by half a length.

Trainer Charlie Appleby said: “Dropping back to nine furlongs was always going to be on the sharp side for Eternal Hope, but she has toughed it out under a good ride from Jamie. She has done little wrong all year and we will put her away for the winter before thinking about next season.”