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It was just a matter of time before Charles Laird would
fulfill his lifelong dream, the seemingly family tradition of winning
the famous July Handicap.
It started with his grandfather, Alex Laird winning the race
aboard 2 year old Nobleman in 1911; then Syd Garrett,
also a family member rode two July winners and trained the winner
three times. Uncle, Sid Laird, one time assistant to Syd
Garrett, rode for a short spell and then went on to train seven July
winners. He was known as “the bear”. Uncle, Dennis Drier,
learned his trade as assistant to Sid Laird and went on to win the
July in '92 with Spanish Galliard.
Charlie started as an assistant to his father Russell
some years back and watched as his cousin, Alex Laird, the son of Sid,
trained London News to win the July in '96. Charlie could have
won any race many times over but without the July under his belt, he
would never have been content as a trainer. He came close in '94 with
National Emblem a head behind Teal in third.
What made this win ultra special for Charlie is that “Queen of the
turf”, Mrs. Oppenheimer owns Hunting Tower.
Patience, timing, planned preparation and finesse are some of the
qualities that were shown up in the coup of Hunting Tower’s July
victory, 33/1-8/1. The horse never let him down. Charles showed just
why he has some of the biggest owners on the continent in his yard.
Watching the pre-race interview, one can see the deep psychological
effect that the July has on its winners, with jockey Anton Marcus
comparing his run down the straight to the biblical parting of the Red
Sea, leaving me wondering if Shaun Tarry, Brett Smith and
Successful Bidder were Pharaoh and the Egyptian Army, 'cause the
Red Sea certainly closed on them 100 out, and then the
sound-of-mind ex-Handicapper, Charlie citing the date of 07/07/07 as
his lucky omen ...both are obviously still in a deep state of shock!
Good Luck to them! Related Articles
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