Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

LEONIDAS, GIVEN a vintage ride by leading all-time jockey Winston Griffiths, got the better of MINISTEROFJUSTICE after a tremendous last furlong duel to win the inaugural running of the Anbell ePhone To Di World Trophy race for native bred three-year-olds (non-winners of two) over 1820 metres at Caymanas Park yesterday.

Griffiths, or 'Fanna' as he is affectionately called, brought the house down when outfoxing in-form jockey Richie Mitchell (bidding for a three-timer on the card) aboard the 2-1 third favourite MINISTEROFJUSTICE, who finished third to ROYAL IMAGE in the recent Jamaica Licensed Bookmakers 2000 Guineas, a length ahead of LEONIDAS in fourth.

Hence it was expected to be close between the two, even though punters installed the recent fast-time winner GAMBOA an even-money favourite under Shane Ellis, followed in the betting by LEONIDAS at 8-5 in a field of six.

Under pressure

In the end, the grey GAMBOA had to settle for third after turning for home in the lead, but under pressure from MINISTEROFJUSTICE on the inside and LEONIDAS on the outside.

Both disposed of GAMBOA approa-ching the distance to set the stage for a thrilling last furlong duel with, if anything, MINISTEROFJUSTICE looking the likely winner when pointing midway through the last furlong. But Griffiths tossed the whip from right to left hand at this stage and LEONIDAS responded readily to gain the ascendancy in the last 30 metres, winning by a neck.

Owned by Trinidadian-based Derek Chin and trained by 14-time champion Philip Feanny, who has teamed up with Griffiths for many notable big race successes over the years, LEONIDAS notched his second win from eight career starts.

According to Paul Cozier, representing the owner, the three-year-old chestnut colt by Royal Minister out of the Peacemaker mare Midnight Angel (bred by HAM Stables) was purchased specifically to race in Trinidad.

"He was bought with the Trinidad Derby in mind, and the plan is to race him in both the Governor's Cup and the Jamaica Derby before shipping him off to Trinidad for good in the summer. He will then be prepared for the Trinidad Derby in September," said Cozier.

Three winners for Walker

On a day when champion jockey Omar Walker rode three winners to extend his lead in the championship with 41, firm favourites MR BLAIR (Ellis up) and MISTER OFFICER (Dane Nelson), both at 4-5, won the respective sections of the day's secondary features for the ePhone Keep Di Link Trophy (maiden three-year-olds) over 1400 metres.

Second-season trainer Dalton Sirjue left Caymanas Park a disappointed man when his charge, MELINDAGATA (2-1) was disqualified after passing the post first in the fifth race over 1200 metres.

That would have been Sirjue's first winner since graduating from the JRC course for assistant trainers in the summer of last year. He was even doused with champagne and water by his colleagues in the winners' enclosure.

But this was all in vain, as MELINDAGATA (Philip Clunis up) had interfered with the favourite MILLIONDOLLARBABY (Walker up) in midstretch and her disqualification was inevitable.

To make matters worse, MELINDAGATA was claimed for $255,000 after the race, leaving Sirjue with zero horses in his stable.