Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
CHAMPION JOCKEY Trevor "Slicer" Simpson dominated yesterday's 13-race programme at Caymanas Park with four winners, including his 50th of the season, RESTLESS PEGASUS at odds of 4-5.
His other winners were the 4-5 favourite JUST FRIENDS in the second race, 2-5 favourite ROYAL RUN in the third race over 1800 metres for the Zaleucus Trophy (Open Allowance) and SIREN, a 3-5 favourite in the eighth race over 1100 metres.
ROYAL RUN, who notched his third win from his past four starts, assumed the lead from stable-companion PREACH PREACHER leaving the half mile and proceeded to win by six lengths from 6-5 second favourite FROMRUSSIAWITHLOVE with four-time champion Charles Hussey aboard.
LATE NON-STARTER
SIR MOHANDAS BABA was declared a late non-starter, reducing the field to five. The winner, a four-year-old bay gelding by Royal Minister out of Run Marisa Run, is owned by Ping Pong Stables and trained by reigning champion Wayne DaCosta.
RESTLESS PEGASUS, meanwhile, was outpaced early as ROYAL GUARD led at a fast clip from the 3-5 favourite PAY PER VIEW, who challenged strongly on entering the straight. PAY PER VIEW eventually went by ROYAL GUARD early in the last furlong only to be caught in the final stride by fast finishing stable-companion RESTLESS PEGASUS. The highly fancied pair of WHITE WATER and GENTLE ON LINE were declared late non-starters at the gate.
Meanwhile, the 4-y-o imported filly SPIRIT OF JAMAICA (9-5) came through on the rails in the last furlong to beat fellow 9-5 chance INSATIABLE (Simpson up) by three-quarters of a length in the round five President's Cup feature. SPIRIT OF JAMAICA was well ridden by top apprentice Paul Francis for owner Lisa and 13-time champion trainer Philip Feanny.
The evens favourite RAKKADASH, also trained by Feanny, was third in the field of six.
DRIVING FINISH
CAPTAIN BLIGH, a 4-5 favourite ridden by leading all-time jockey Winston Griffiths, ran on well in the straight to catch and beat the Simpson-ridden ZULU PRINCESS in a driving finish for the Frankie Frazer Memorial Cup (Overnight Allowance) over 1300 metres. A 4-y-o bay gelding, CAPTAIN BLIGH is owned by Derrick Brandt and trained by Anthony Nunes.
The fourth trophy race on the card, the Reggae Boyz Road to the 2003 Gold Cup Trophy over 1100 metres, saw 7-1 chance BLUE CANTREL, ridden by apprentice Dane Nelson, hold ing off the 3-5 favourite LONG LONG JOURNEY in a field of 13 maiden three-year-olds.
Technical director of football Carl Brown and several Reggae Boyz were present at Caymanas Park as guests of the promoters.
