Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

THE 2006 Caribbean Sprint champion, RAMPAGE, lived up to his name at Caymanas Park yesterday with an effortless victory in the graded stakes feature for the Arthur Jones Memorial Cup over 1200 metres.

Installed a 8-5 second favourite under title-chasing jockey Shane Ellis, RAMPAGE, toting top weight of 57kg, broke on top in the six-horse field and led narrowly from 4-5 favourite CLOCK WORK in the early stages.

With Ellis standing tall and having RAMPAGE on the bridle, CLOCK WORK, on the inside, had to be vigorously ridden by Dane Nelson to dispute the lead with RAMPAGE passing the half mile, but his effort was in vain.

Cruising home

Cruising into the home turn, RAMPAGE disposed of CLOCK WORK coming out of the turn and proceeded to lengthen his strides up the lane for his second consecutive win and his third from his past four starts.

Owned and trained by Richard Azan, RAMPAGE had 5 1/4 lengths to spare over CLOCK WORK, who beat him in a driving finish in this race a year ago.

"Different horse," was how Ellis described RAMPAGE. "He has come on a great deal since and with this victory has established himself as the top sprinter to race so far this season."

It is left to be seen whether RAMPAGE can dethrone reigning champion sprinter MUSICAL MAESTRO when he returns to competition next month.

Meanwhile, 4-5 favourite PLEASURE FLIGHT, ridden by four-time champion Charles Hussey for his brother Percy and 2-1 chance PRINCESS ELENA with five-time champion Trevor Simpson riding for trainer Dwight Chen, led all the way to win the respective sections of the Percy Martin Memorial Cup 3-y-o maiden special over the straight course, the day's secondary feature.

Shared honours

Trainers Dwight Chen (Princess Elena, Chiponyourshoulder) and champion Wayne DaCosta (The Guardian, Commander Zero) posted two winners each.

In the absence of champion and leading jockey Omar Walker, who is sitting out a three-day suspension, Dane Nelson, Devon A. Thomas and Richie Mitchell shared the riding honours with two winners each.

CHIPONYOURSHOULDER was awarded the ninth race over 1700m on the disqualification of the 2006 Derby winner RANSOM MAN (6-1), this for causing interference to JADORE when taking over the lead at the half mile.

The brilliant 3-y-o colt COMMANDER ZERO, ridden by Dane Nelson for DaCosta, sent his stocks soaring for the April 5 2000 Guineas with another runaway victory in the opening race over 1200 metres to be unbeaten in three starts.