Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

EXCLUSIVE RUNNER, running at odds of 3-1 with smart apprentice Jason Simpson aboard, wins the second running of the CTL Imported Stakes over 1400 metres at Caymanas Park yesterday. He was saddled by reigning champion Wayne DaCosta. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

EXCLUSIVE RUNNER, under a determined ride from the promising 4.0kg claiming apprentice Jason Simpson, ran on strongly along the rails to catch and beat EXPLOSIVE PEAK in the second running of the CTL Imported Stakes over 1400 metres at Caymanas Park yesterday.

Significantly, both American-bred horses occupied the first two places in the inaugural running last year, only on that occasion the Peter McMaster-trained front-runner, EXPLOSIVE PEAK, scrambled home by a head from EXCLUSIVE RUNNER who duly turned the tables.

Offering odds of 3-1, EXCLUSIVE RUNNER had half a length to spare over fellow 3-1 chance EXPLOSIVE PEAK with last year's winning rider Wesley Henry again in the saddle. Finishing third, a farther neck away, was the grey filly ALPHA LUPA (9-2) who finished fast (outside) under champion jockey Brian Harding.

The fleet-footed EXPLOSIVE PEAK led comfortably from EXCLUSIVE RUNNER (well away) and 9-5 favourite CHADMAN, who went in chase leaving the half mile under five-time champion Trevor Simpson.

EXPLOSIVE PEAK turned for home four lengths clear of CHADMAN and still full of running. But although seemingly having the race at her mercy approaching the distance, she was gobbled up by top weight EXCLUSIVE RUNNER, closing sharply along the rails from below the distance to gain the ascendancy in the last 100 metres.

Field reduced to eight

The field was reduced to eight when the Gary Subratie-trained filly PRECOCIOUS MISS D was declared a late non-starter, having gone lame. As a result, the promoters slashed the purse from $1 million to $750,000, a move which did not go down well with owners and trainers who had horses in the race.

Noticeably absent from the lead back and presentation was champion and leading trainer Wayne DaCosta, who not only saddled the winner but three other horses in the race, namely PASSA PASSA, GIRL IN GOLD and CHADMAN, who finished fourth. A usually reliable source said DaCosta was so upset over CTL's slashing of the purse that he elected to stay upstairs in the North Lounge rather than posing with his horse inside the winners' enclosure, as he usually does.

EXCLUSIVE RUNNER, who was racing for the first time in six months, is co-owned by DaCosta, Winston Kong and Raymond Rousseau. Although having one or two concerns coming into the race, Kong was satisfied with the outcome.

"I thought coming from an inside post position and the fact that he was racing for the first time in six months could have militated against him. But he is really the class horse of the field and, under a good ride from the apprentice, rose to the occasion", said Kong.

Meanwhile, the day's secondary feature over a mile for the Mark Twain Trophy went to the lightly weighted 3-y-o filly MYLEGACY, who reeled in long-time leader BANKER'S BULLION under Charles Hussey in deep stretch.

Owned by Joseph Duany and trained by 14-time champion Philip Feanny, MYLEGACY, an evens favourite, was ridden by the promising lightweight apprentice Carlton Malcolm who, along with Oniel Mullings, rode two winners on the 10-race programme.