Ben Maher scores another win at the Spruce Meadows Masters
Monday 11 September 2023
.jpg "Ben Maher scores another win at the Spruce Meadows Masters")
Ben Maher scored victory in the Suncor winning round on Enjeu De Grisien at the Spruce Meadows Masters in Calgary, Canada.
Ben, already a winner earlier in the week in the opening 5* 1.50m on Exit Remo, proved invincible despite his disadvantageous draw.
After qualifying for this class earlier in the week, 23 riders came forward over course-designer Leopoldo Palacios’ 1.50m track with ten returning to tackle round two to decide the winning round. Competitors were drawn in reverse order of merit, Ben seemingly drawing the short straw as first to go.
That wasn’t the case. Smooth yet deceptively quick, Ben skilfully guided Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright’s Toulon Andiamo 9-year-old into a fast – and unbeatable target from the opening draw. It was a waiting game but the pair held on grimly to the top spot, winning by the tiny margin of 0.06 sec over Ireland’s Darragh Kenny, in second aboard Irwin.
John Whitaker guided Sharid into second place in the Edenbridge Cup.
Five of the original 12 starters posted initial clears over course-designer Leopoldo Palcios’ 1.50m track with John opting for an easier route on the Toulon 14-year-old Sharid second time out to finish more than five seconds behind the winner, Ireland’s Conor Swail on Gamble.
Image: Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley
