In a battle of stable-companions, the lesser fancied HERECOMESFUDGIE (right) is driven out by lightweight jockey Peter Bryan to beat topweight and favourite I'MSATISFIED (Winston Griffiths) by half a length in the Eros Trophy feature over 1400 metres at Caymanas Park yesterday. Both horses are owned by Joseph Duany and trained by Philip Feanny.
-Ian Allen photo
Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
HERECOMESFUDGIE SHOWED his penchant for the distance of 1,400 metres by outbattling his illustrious stable-companion I'MSATISFIED to win the Eros Trophy graded stakes feature in a driving finish at Caymanas Park yesterday.
Installed a 2-1 third favourite with light weight jockey Peter Bryan up, the classy 4-y-o gelding from the stables of 13-time champion trainer Philip Feanny led home top weight and 3-5 favourite I'MSATISFIED by half a length in a field of six.
Both finished clear of YOUNG FOR ALL (17-1) and the Feanny trained 89-1 outsider ROSE BUD who were involved in a dead-heat for third, another 11 lengths away.
It was highly fancied LIL'COUNTRY BOY who showed superior speed to lead from HERECOMESFUDGIE and I'MSATISFIED early stages.
As they sorted themselves out, LIL'COUNTRY BOY was taken on by 'FUDGIE' approaching the half mile and both raced neck and neck until HERECOMESFUDGIE surged ahead passing the 600-metre pole.
With LIL' COUNTRY BOY fading quickly, it was left to I'MSATISFIED under leading all-time jockey Winston Griffiths to carry the fight to his lesser fancied stable-companion.
In the straight, however, HERECOMESFUDGIE responded to a determined ride from Bryan, holding the challenge of I'MSATISFIED on the outside from below the distance, to win all out by half a length.
HERECOMESFUDGIE, who won the St. Leger last year, duly turned the tables on 'SATISFIED' who beat him into third place when they last met in the Abe Issa Memorial Cup over 1,200 metres on February 21. Over the additional furlong, HERECOMESFUDGIE proved more effective, as was the case on December 13 last year when he won the UBA Gold Cup over the distance at the expense of the Superstakes winner PITTACUS, with I'MSATISFIED finishing a close up fourth.
The winner, a 4-y-o bay gelding by Law Of The Sea out of Hya, is owned and bred by Joseph 'Fudgie' Duany.
Earlier in the afternoon, consistent MY PAL DON (8-5) made most to win the day's secondary feature for the Tewfic Ziadie Memorial Cup (claiming $320,000 - $270,000) over the circular nine course.
Although pressed and passed briefly by the 32-1 outsider WAKONDA from early, MY PAL DON took a firm grip on the race approaching the half mile to win by three lengths from RAPIDASH (3-1) and the 59-1 outsider AFFIRMATION who raced prominently throughout in the eight-strong field.
MY PAL DON is owned and trained by Noel Ennevor. The 5-y-o chestnut gelding by Restless Thief out of Tropical Fling posted his second consecutive win and once again was ridden by champion apprentice Paul Francis, who had a second winner on the card in 13-1 chance THAT'S GOLD.
The grey gelding was awarded the closing 1,200-metre race on the disqualification of 9-1 chance GATLIN, who was penalised for causing interference.
With leading jockey Oneil Mullings failing to ride a winner and reigning champion Trevor Simpson having been stood down fo one day, Francis is joint second with Shane Ellis on 14 wins, one behind Mullings.
In addition to the Gary Subratie trained THAT'S GOLD, other upsets came via the 16-1 debutante HIGH TOWER in the third and ANYTHING ELSE at 15-1 in the eighth.
