HONEYOFALADY (Doushane Gordon) scoring an impressive win in yesterday's CTL Imported Stakes open allowance feature over 1400 metres at Caymanas Park. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance photographer

The talented American filly HONEYOFALADY rebounded nicely at Caymanas Park yesterday to win the CTL Imported Stakes open allowance feature over 1400 metres in fine style.

Ridden by the very promising claiming apprentice Doushane Gordon for trainer Dwight Chen, HONEYOFALADY romped home by 5 1/4 lengths from QUICK AND GRAY (7-2), covering the distance in a new stakes record time of 1:24.2, behind splits of 24.1, 47.2 and a brisk 1:11.0 for the first 1200 metres.

HONEYOFALADY was well away from the number four post position and was content to chase old rival QUICK AND GRAY at close range before surging ahead approaching the 600-metre pole.

well-oiled machine

Running like a well-oiled machine, she turned for home some three lengths clear of QUICK AND GRAY and LADY HASTINGS, then, under a stylish ride from the 19-year-old apprentice, moved away for an emphatic win, the third from her last four starts.

Owned by Combo, HONEY-OFALADY, a three-year-old bay filly by Snow Ridge out of Ahoneyofabunny, had previously won the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission Trophy over the distance on August 1 (Emancipation Day) when beating QUICK AND GRAY by half a length in a driving finish. This time she took QUICK AND GRAY to the cleaners, Gordon looking every inch an accomplished rider following his recent graduation from the Jockeys' School on August 25.

Chen spoke highly of the young apprentice who has now ridden four winners since he started riding on September 2, including a double comprising HONEYOFALADY and 1-9 favourite ESQUIRE for trainer Norman Palmer in the fourth race.

"I have watched him and believe he has the right attitude," said the trainer. "I think he has a very good work ethic and if he keeps his head, will go far in racing," added Chen.

Fellow apprentice Richard Mairs notched the first win of his career aboard Anthony Ferguson's 4-5 favourite EXPLOSIVE POWER, guiding the roan colt to a runaway victory in the second race over 1200 metres for maiden three-year-olds.

Also notching his first winner as a trainer was this year's Derby winning owner Patrick Smellie of HE'S REALLY OK fame. Smellie, who was among a batch of 19 new trainers who recently completed the Jamaica Racing Commission course for assistant trainers, graduating on August 27, saddled BEAUTIFUL SPACE (6-1) to win the War Zone Sprint Trophy over 1100 metres with Elvis Murray in the saddle. The three-year-old filly is also owned by Smellie.