- RICARDO MAKYN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
MEDICAL REPORT, one of four winners for jockey Paul 'Country' Francis, heads for the winners' enclosure after his easy victory at 9-1 in the Merry Deal Cup feature (overnight allowance) over the straight five course at Caymanas Park yesterday.
Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
WITH LEADING jockey Trevor Simpson sitting out day one of a three-day suspension, two-time champion apprentice Paul 'Country' Francis came into his own with four winners on yesterday's eight-race programme at Caymanas Park, including 9-1 chance MEDICAL REPORT in the Merry Deal Cup feature.
His other winners were the 1-2 favourite MEDICAL SOCA in the second race over the circular nine course, followed in quick succession by the even-money favourites RAINBOW TRAIN and THE AMERICAN GAL in the fourth for the Dr. Ralston Feanny Memorial Trophy over 1100 metres for native bred three-year-olds (non-winners of three),
While MEDICAL SOCA, RAINBOW TRAIN and MEDICAL REPORT were relatively easy winners, the Stanley Findlay-trained THE AMERICAN GAL held on by only half a length to thwart a late run from 10-1 chance FAST BREAK with Larris Allen riding for trainer Richie Todd.
FORGED AHEAD
The grey filly chased the Todd-trained I AM NOT ORDINARY at close range, challenged strongly on the outside leaving the 600-metre marker and forged ahead as they swung into the straight, but in the end just had enough to stave off FAST BREAK who was outpaced a bit in the nine-horse field.
Francis thus enjoyed his best day in the saddle since booting home six winners at Caymanas Park last Boxing Day.
As a result, he has reclaimed third place from Charles Hussey in the jockeys' championship, having pushed his season's tally to 47 with Hussey now relegated to fourth on 45 after failing to ride a winner on the card.
Francis, who started riding in November 2002 among the last batch of apprentices from the Jockeys' School, has ridden 185 winners lifetime.
In the Merry Deal Cup feature, run in muddy conditions over the straight five course, MEDICAL REPORT chased the leader NATURAL PRINCE (7-2) at close range in mid-track before disposing of him leaving the quarter pole, moving away to win by 3 3/4 lengths from the fast-finishing LADY LYDIA at 8-1 in a field of 10.
A 4-y-o bay colt by The Medic out of Princess Eileen, MEDICAL REPORT is owned by Michael Steele and trained by Noel Ennevor.
The third trophy race on the card, this for the Lester Saunders Memorial Cup for native bred maiden two-year-olds, resulted in a post-to-post runaway win for the Lawrence Freemantle-trained 1-2 favourite HAWAIIAN DANCER with Wesley Henry up. The dark bay filly by Royal Minister - Tiffin won by the resounding margin of 21 3/4 lengths from GURBAN who chased her from the off. Ante-post favourite MAJOR MAYER (lame) was declared a late non-starter, reducing the field to seven.
Run Papa Run is dead
THE 2004 St. Leger and Lotto Classic (Governor's Cup) winner RUN PAPA RUN collapsed and died at Caymanas Park yesterday morning after completing a 10-furlong exercise spin.
By Footloose II out of Run Marisa Run, the free-running 4-y-o bay gelding who created one of the biggest upsets in racing in July of last year when outfinishing howling 1-9 favourite and subsequent 'Horse of the Year' DISTINCTLY IRISH by a neck in the St. Leger, denying him Triple Crown glory, was owned and trained by Dennis Lee.
Jockey Wesley Henry said that after completing the exercise canter, RUN PAPA RUN began to wobble on his way back and he quickly dismounted at the six-furlong point. 'PAPA' then banged into the rails and went down.
His racing record reads five wins from 17 career starts and stakes earnings of $3.45 million. He was purchased for $800,000 by Lee at the 2002 yearling sale.
