Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

BULLET TRAIN (Omar Walker) is eased at the finish as he completes a fine win in yesterday's St Catherine Cup feature over 1100 metres at Caymanas Park. A chestnut gelding by Royal Minister-Chante Princess, BULLET TRAIN is owned and trained by Wayne DaCosta. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

With the hot ante-post favourite OUTSTANDING bolting prior to the start of yesterday's feature for the St Catherine Cup at Caymanas Park, BULLET TRAIN seized the opportunity to win the 1100-metre race in a driving finish.

Bidding for back-to-back wins on successive racedays and her seventh from nine career starts, OUTSTANDING was heavily backed as the 3-5 favourite in a field of seven open allowance horses in what could well be her last race before retiring to stud. But the unexpected happened during the loading up process.

To the dismay of many, OUTSTANDING broke loose from the starting gate and bolted into the straight. In the circumstances, she had to be withdrawn.

Became fussy

Apprentice Jason Simpson explained that the Law Of The Sea filly became fussy while in the gates and resisted his efforts to get her head in an upright position.

EXPLOSIVE PEAK, who chased her home over the straight on the previous Saturday, was installed the new favourite at 3-4 under leading jockey Shane Ellis, but after leading under pressure from FUSILIER in the backstretch, was taken on by the 9-5 second favourite BULLET TRAIN as they swung into the straight.

A neck-and-neck duel ensued between the two and despite champion jockey Omar Walker losing his whip aboard BULLET TRAIN in mid-stretch, the five-year-old gelding responded to a strong-hand ride to gain the ascendancy midway the last furlong, winning by three-quarter length. The grey NASATOL stayed on to finish another two lengths away third.

Smashing debut

Later in the afternoon, THE REBEL made a smashing debut to win the Mercury Sprint over the straight five course confined to native-bred maiden three-year-old colts and geldings.

Installed an 8-5 favourite with apprentice André Martin riding for owner Andrew Azar and trainer Noel Ennevor, the bay colt by Tracking out of the Wise Emissary mare Nadege, disputed the lead on the stands' side with highly fancied WHEEL N DEAL (3-1) and DOC'S TREATY (4-1) in mid-track before asserting his authority leaving the quarter pole, cruising home 3 1/4 lengths clear of WHEEL N DEAL in a field of 10.

The race was not without incident. First, the 99-1 outsider SINGINGINTHERAIN slipped up in the starting gate and had to be withdrawn. Then, MY BLUE EYED BOY swerved violently to the left on leaving the starting gate. bumped into horses and dislodged his apprentice rider Oral Bennett shortly after. And if that was not enough, MAZDA POWER had to be pulled up at the halfway stage.

Top jockeys Shane Ellis (Rigmarole, Smooth Dude), Dane Nelson (Softly My Dear, Rigged To Win) and Omar Walker (Bullet Train, Designed For Luck) rode two winners each, while reigning champion Wayne DaCosta saddled two in BULLET TRAIN and profound 'bridesmaid' RIGGED TO WIN, who scored a long-overdue victory as the 4-5 favourite.