Maycocks Bay first, the rest nowhere in G2 Eclipse Stakes rout

Maycocks Bay secured a first Graded Stakes victory with a sensational front-running display in the G2 Eclipse Stakes at Woodbine, Canada, on Saturday, 30 May. 

Having his first all-weather start, the Michael Stidham-trained five-year-old was immediately sent to the front by Sofia Vives, with the pair establishing an eight-length lead after the first three furlongs. 

Maycocks Bay continued to enjoy himself in front, increasing his advantage down the back, and still had six lengths in hand over the field entering the final furlong. Stanley House and Runaway Again made late gains as Maycocks Bay finally started to tire close home, with the winner crossing the line two lengths in front. 

Assistant trainer Parker Hendriks said: “Maycocks Bay has been based down at Fair Hill Training Center for the last six to eight weeks, and he has galloped on the all-weather there. He had a really nice breeze on the surface two weeks ago. We were pretty confident that he would handle it today. He’s a very exuberant horse and very fast.” 

Sofia Vives said: “I heard that Maycocks Bay was a very eager horse who likes to be forward, and if you grab him, it’s like pulling against a wall, so it’s a case of finding a happy rhythm. He was just floating on this surface, so figured he was going to open up a little bit, but we had plenty of horse when we turned for home and he kept pulling away.”