Hamada takes G3 Geoffrey Freer Stakes in great style

Hamada, trained by Charlie Appleby, recorded his fifth victory in succession when the impressive winner of the G3 Geoffrey Freer Stakes over an extended 13 furlongs at Newbury, UK, on Saturday, 18 August.

The four-year-old son of Cape Cross, partnered by James Doyle, raced in fifth before moving up to fourth after the first half-mile as his stable companion Walton Street, ridden by Adam Kirby, took the field along.

With a mile to race, Hamada moved into third before challenging for the lead entering the final quarter mile.

He took up the running entering the final furlong and lengthened well to score by two and a half lengths from Raymond Tusk with Walton Street keeping on in third, a further nose behind.

The ground was described as Good and the winning time was 2m 51.63s.

James Doyle said: Doyle: “Hamada is a star really. He does everything you ask of him and has steadily improved with each run. I won on him earlier in the season at Wolverhampton believe it or not and he only won a length and a half that day.

“He is one Charlie has been patient with, and he will be on a plane to Australia soon I would say. He will love it [Australian racing].

“He breaks nicely and has the tactical speed to hold a position. I have never ridden in the Melbourne Cup but from my time in Australia I learnt a bit about the racing there and the things you need are to break well and tactical speed to hold a pitch.

“You also need to relax because the go hard early for the first couple of furlongs and then put the brakes on. Hamada is very push button and stays very well.”

Charlie Appleby commented: “I was delighted with Hamada and Walton Street today. They have both booked themselves a trip to Australia.

“We will have to wait and see what the handicapper does, but hopefully Hamada will get a racing weight that will put him straight into the Melbourne Cup (G1, 2m, Flemington, 6 November).

“Walton Street has got himself a bit closer to getting a run in the Melbourne Cup. He will probably have to run in one of the trials when he gets to Australia to give himself more a chance of making the cut for the Melbourne Cup.”