Zodiakos wrote his name into the record books with victory in the Betway Welcome Back British Racing Handicap at Newcastle – the first race in Britain since meetings were last held on March 17.
After Government approval was granted on Saturday, racing was the first major professional sport to resume in Britain following the coronavirus shutdown and all eyes were on the opening event.
At the head of affairs right from the off, the Roger Fell-trained gelding bowled along in the mile contest under his jockey James Sullivan, who like all riders was wearing a face mask as part of the strict hygiene protocols in place.
His better-fancied stablemate Al Ozzdi came there strongly two furlongs out in the hands of Ben Curtis, but while he took a definite advantage at one stage, the 22-1 winner fought back gallantly and was a neck to the good at the line.
Sullivan said: “It’s very nice to get the first winner. I’m blowing a bit as obviously it’s the first time I’ve ridden in a race for a while and it was hard work from three and a half furlongs out, but in fairness to Roger he had him very fit, he was spot on for today.
“I think his ability to handle heavy ground helped him. The track is riding very deep today and it helped at the end as he outstayed the other horse. Al Ozzdi got by me, but in the last 100 yards his stamina kicked in.”
He added: “Hopefully that will have blown away the cobwebs. In this heat today, riding in the mask, it is very warm and after pulling up I pulled it down a little just to get a few breaths in. It wasn’t too bad, though, it’s manageable and it’s the sort of thing that in a week you won’t even notice it.”
Fell said: “My instructions were to make it, to get on with it because he has one pace and he did that perfectly.
“It (lockdown) has not been bad for us as we’re quite isolated, we’re not round lots of other people. A lot of the staff live on site so it’s quite easy.”
