VETERAN owner-breeder Dick Hollingsworth has produced a stream of high-class performers over four decades and Showboat looks another booked for stardom following a dazzling debut victory at Leicester yesterday.
The crimson silks with silver braid have been carried with distinction by a succession of top class performers, notably Buoy, 1980 Oaks heroine Bireme, Longboat, Pilot and Sea Anchor.
Showboat dismissed his nine opponents in division two of the EBF Maiden with complete authority. Pat Eddery cruised to the front on the 2 to 1 chance with more than two furlongs to travel and the son of Warning stormed clear to win by five lengths.
Eddery was suitably impressed and declared: "You wouldn't mind three like that."
Kevin Mooney assistant to trainer Barry Hills said: "Showboat is a really nice horse and has been working well and we were pretty hopeful. In fact we thought it would take a good run to beat him. Showboat was a backward sort early on and has pleased us all the way".
The outcome was just what the doctor ordered for Eddery after an indifferent start to the eight-race programme - beaten into second place on River's Source (4 to 9) in the opener behind Attitude, then only fourth of five on 4 to 7 chance River Usk behind Amid Albadu
Attitude stepped up on his debut eighth at Sandown behind Sleepytime last month with a clear-cut two lengths verdict over River's Source in division one of the maiden.
Amid Albadu, who just edged out newcomer Arabian to capture the Manny Bernstein Conditions Stakes for John Dunlop's yard, was following up a Chester win in August.
Dunlop's travelling head man Robert Hamilton said: "He just took a little bit of time to come to hand. I would imagine he'll run again this year if there's a suitable opportunity."
Eddery went on to complete a double when giving Questonia a masterful ride to edge out Miss Riviera in a thrilling finish to the Fillies' Condition Stakes.
"I think Pat rode her quite nicely there, don't you," said trainer Henry Cecil's assistant Simon Sweeting.
Jason Weaver, unsuccessful earlier in the day with his appeal against the ban he received from the Pontefract stewards last Monday, signed off for his enforced nine-day `holiday' with a popular victory on Our People in the finale. It provided trainer Mark Johnston with a domestic century for the third successive year.
Claiming riders ruled the roost at Sedgefield yesterday, winning five of the seven races with Gary Cahill taking the major honours with a 458 to 1 treble.
Cahill who is attached to Mary Reveley's stable, scored on Clover Girl (16 to 1) and Jendee, both trained by Brian Ellison, and Red Jam Jar to take his career tally to 50 winners.
Ellison, who has doubled the size of his string this season to 26, was delighted with his 100 to 1 double, initiated by Clover Girl, who had one and a half lengths to spare over Fen Terrier in the Six And Out Handicap Hurdle.
Cahill kicked off his treble with an all the way victory on top weight Red Jam Jar.
