- Michael Sloley/Freelance Photographer
IRISH STAR, one of two winners for top apprentice Paul Francis, wins the inaugural Magnum Tonic Wine Trophy race over 1820 metres at Caymanas Park yesterday. The 4-y-o filly beat SWEET JADE out of pic in a driving finish.
Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
THE IMPROVING 4-y-o filly IRISH STAR won the inaugural running of the Magnum Tonic Wine Trophy race over the circular nine course at Caymanas Park yesterday, surviving a late run from the 15-1 chance SWEET JADE.
Offering odds of 6-1 with top apprentice Paul Francis riding for 'Hall of Fame' trainer Allan "Billy" Williams, IRISH STAR won by half a length from SWEET JADE who in turn had 2 3/4 lengths to spare over 8-1 chance VALIANT NATURE in third.
SEXY, installed a howling 3-5 favourite with champion jockey Trevor Simpson aboard, dissipated her chances by being slowly into stride and although mended to be third at the final bend, found nil in the straight to finish unplaced in the field of 12 four-year-olds and up (non winners of three).
IRISH STAR was held up in mid-field for most of the way as 7-1 chance TOO HOT TO TROT led narrowly from the 99-1 outsider FLAMENCO RED who took over from the half mile and raced into a clear lead approaching the final bend.
IRISH STAR started her winning run when making rapid headway on the outside from the 600-metre pole and disposed of FLAMENCO RED entering the straight. But although racing into a clear lead a furlong out, she shortened in the last 100 metres and had to be driven out to hold the fast-finishing SWEET JADE under the apprentice Dave Blackwood at bay.
A chestnut filly by Irish Quest out of the You O.K. mare Mehdullah, IRISH STAR is owned by the Florida-based Peter John Rhoden and bred by his father, the late Rhoel Rhoden.
Williams, a three-time champion (1964, 68, 69) who had the distinction of being the first trainer to saddle 1000 winners locally, said he was fairly confident that IRISH STAR would win.
"She showed when winning easily over seven furlongs last month that she is improving", he said. "I must say that young Francis rode her superbly again, following my instructions to the letter. He's fast developing into a good rider".
Francis completed a quick double in the closing 1700-metre race aboard the 3-1 chance NO TEAR for trainer Noel Ennevor. The five-year-old mare, who won over the same distance on July 12 when ridden by Francis for the first time, looked second best when giving way to SIR KISSON LAL (5-1) approaching the home turn, but rallied strongly on the inside to regain the lead approaching the distance, holding on by three-quarter length from the fast-finishing hat-trick seeker PARTING SHOT in the 13-strong field.
Simpson, who continues to enjoy a clear lead in the standings, rode two winners for champion trainer Wayne DaCosta. These were the progressive American 3-y-o colt LIL' COUNTRY BOY who made all impressively in the round five opener (open allowance) to complete a hat-trick of wins and down in class GOINGTOKANSASCITY in the fourth race over the straight five course.
Simpson has now ridden 70 winners but is due for a forced vacation next Saturday, having picked up a two-day suspension for careless riding aboard PRINCESS ALEXANDRA and another which is pending for his disqualification aboard ROYAL RUN in the Prime Minister's Stakes last Wednesday.
Apprentice Oneil Mullings also twirled a double comprising the highly fancied GALINA POINT and WARRIOR. The latter was one of four favourites to score on the 10-race card.
