The Norwegian-trained Quarterback (Ger) (American Post {GB}-Quebra {Ger}, by Surumu {Ger}) landed the feature race at Klampenborg on Saturday when swooping late up the stands' rail for victory in the G3 Chess Racing Scandinavian Open Championship.
The winner of the listed Scandic Norsk Derby for trainer Rune Haugen last season, the 4-year-old came into the race having finished third to Hurricane Red (Ire) (Hurricane Run {Ire}) in the G3 Subaru Oslo Cup on July 14. Last of the 12 runners as the field turned into the home straight, jockey Jan-Erik Neuroth galvanised his mount to a flying finish, striking in the shadow of the post to snatch the race from long-time leader, Benny Andersson's Chess Racing homebred Inaya (GB) (High Chaparral {Ire}). The Niels Petersen-trained 9-year-old Bank Of Burden (Hawk Wing), a previous dual winner of the race, took third having finished runner-up last year.
The 2400-metre contest also featured the Scandinavian debut of the former Aidan O'Brien trainee Fields Of Athenry (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who was third in the last year's G1 Ladbrokes St Leger before being sold to race for owner-trainer Flemming Velin and finished seventh.
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