Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer
HEARTOFAMAVERICK, ridden by Charles Hussey, disposes of long-time leader and 3-5 favourite EXPLOSIVE PEAK (Brian Harding) to win the overnight allowance feature for the William Read Memorial Trophy at Caymanas Park yesterday. He was a 7-1 winner.Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
CLOSING POWERFULLY from early in the straight, HEARTOFAMAVERICK stormed through in mid-stretch to win the overnight allowance feature for the William Read Memorial Trophy over 1300 metres in fine style at Caymanas Park yesterday.
Going off at odds 7-1 with four-time champion Charles Hussey riding for champion trainer-designate Wayne DaCosta, HEARTOFAMAVERICK won by 2 3/4 lengths from the howling 3-5 favourite EXPLOSIVE PEAK under leading jockey Brian Harding, with the well-backed BANJUHAR (4-1) staying on for third another 3 1/4 away in a field of nine.
HEARTOFAMAVERICK was outpaced in fifth position for the first 300 metres as the Peter McMaster-trained American filly EXPLOSIVE PEAK led at a fast clip (23.3, 46.4) from PRECOCIOUS MISS D, highly fancied CHOSEN ONE and MUSICAL MAESTRO.
EXPLOSIVE PEAK turned for home three lengths clear of PRECOCIOUS MISS but although looking the likely winner at this stage, her strides began to shorten approaching the distance and HEARTOFAMAVERICK moved in for the kill.
quickly disposed of rival
He caught up with EXPLOSIVE PEAK just inside the last furlong and quickly disposed of her to win going away in the smart time of 1:18.2.
A 4-y-o chestnut gelding by Maverick out of Wild Heart, HEARTOFAMAVERICK is co-owned by Member of Parliament Derrick Smith and his son Derrick Jr. and bred by DaCosta.
Meanwhile, the two contenders engaged in a prolonged and intriguing contest for the 2005 jockeys' championship - Harding and reigning champion Trevor Simpson - both experienced a tough day in the saddle.
Simpson had to wait until the last race to boot home a winner, the even-money favourite IKAS who made all impressively. Harding, on the other hand, failed to ride a winner, but still leads the standings with 95 - three ahead of Simpson with only five race days remaining.
Both were upstaged by former champion Wesley 'Callaloo' Henry who rode three winners in FOREVER SUNSHINE at 5-2 in the sixth race, MY BABY GIRL also at 5-2 in the eighth for maiden two-year-olds and 1-2 favourite FRENCH MINISTER in the ninth, all in post-to-post fashion.
"All eyes are on Simpson and Harding, but punters are failing to realise that for the past couple of racedays, I've ridden more winners than them," said the 1996 champion jockey who rode two winners last Wednesday in RIZZI LEE and BULLSEYE.
"I'm just making hay while the sun shines with Christmas around the corner. But come next year you can't rule me out of nothing," Henry said.
Hussey, meanwhile, rode two winners in HEARTOFAMAVERICK and EASTERN LIGHT at 2-1 in the first race, this for his brother Percy and their mom, Ruth.
