Endless Drama wins second Group 2

Qatar Racing stalwart Endless Drama won the second Group 2 of his career in the Easter Handicap at Ellerslie in New Zealand on Saturday.

Seven-year-old entire Endless Drama was transferred to Tony Pike in Cambridge last month after he was unplaced at Otaki on his final start for Chris Waller (form whom the horse had won the Group 2 Apollo Stakes at Randwick in February 2018).

After taking second in a Listed handicap over 1200m at Hastings on April 13 and a week earlier, Endelss Drama returned to winning ways over 1600m.

The winning trainer was quick to compliment the winning rider:

"It was a superb ride by Leith Innes as I said to just try and hold him up for as long as you can.

"He sat and waited until the 200 metres to let him go and he has got an electric turn of foot that he showed at Hawkes Bay.

"We thought we had him back in form then and we were quietly confident.

"I was lucky enough to train for Qatar Bloodstock some years back now and when the horse failed at Otaki, Chris (Waller) said to them he was probably better placed here rather than go back to Sydney.

"They left him here and the change of environment with an older horse has really improved him.

"Chris is a good mate of mine so it's nice to be able to improve one off him."

Endless Drama began his career in Ireland with Ger Lyons for whom he finished placed in both the 2015 Irish 2,000 Guineas and 2016 Lockinge Stakes.

On the other side of the world, four-year-old filly Tiger Eye ran well on her first start in Stakes company when fifth of 14 in the Listed Snowdrop Fillies' Stakes at Kempton on the same afternoon. She is in foal to Roaring Lion, so hopefully she can pick up some black type before she is retired to the paddocks.

Photo credit: Trish Dunell, NZ Racing Desk