By Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer 
STEROFABULOUS, ridden by Larris Allen who lost his helmet approaching the final bend, romps home in yesterday's Caymanas Park feature for the Owners' Association Trophy over 2000 metres. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
THIS YEAR'S Derby runner-up STEROFABULOUS outstayed rivals to win the overnight allowance feature for the Jamaica Racehorse Owners' Association Trophy over 2000 metres in fine style at Caymanas Park yesterday.
The first of two winners for in-form jockey Larris Allen, who lost his helmet when bobbing foward approaching the final bend, STEROFABULOUS came early in the straight to win by 3 1/4 lengths from the Charles Hussey-ridden PEACE & LOVE, who went off an even money second choice in a field of five.
Third went to long-time leader WARREN B, while the rank outsider, CATCH THE CUT, was declared a late non-starter at the gates,
It was the 5-1 chance WARREN B who made most under the apprentice Howard Newell, but stalked all the time by STEROFABULOUS. Both galloped towards the half mile some three lengths clear of PEACE & LOVE pushed along in third, followed by the 2003 Oaks winner NAUGHTY BY NATURE (7-1) with SIR ROMEL (8-1) tailed off.
Although the free-running WARREN B slipped away once again leaving the half mile, the imported colt could not escape the hard-ridden STEROFABULOUS who swooped down from the final bend.
He disposed of WARREN B from early in the straight and under some torrid left-hand whipping kept on strongly throughout the last furlong for an easy win, the 3-y-o son of Royal Minister-Quick Burst covering the distance in the fairly good time of 2:09.1. PEACE & LOVE got up in the nick of time out wide to beat WARREN B by a neck for second.
STEROFABULOUS is owned by Ping Pong Stables, bred by HAM Stables Limited and trained by 13-time champion Philip Feanny who posted a second winner on the card in RAKKADASH (made all).
AN IMPROVING COLT
Allen, who starts a two-day suspension on Wednesday for careless riding aboard LADY PHAGWAH on August 28 resulting in the disqualification of his mount, said STEROFABULOUS is an improving colt and he was happy to win with him for the second consecutive time.
"This horse should have run in the recent Trinidad Derby," declared Allen. "I don't think he would lose it on a line through LATONIA who was a close second to the Trinidadian horse MUCHO TEMPO.
"You should remember that STEROFABULOUS beat LATONIA out of sight in the Derby. He loves a distance of ground and I think Mr. Feanny has him in good nick at present," said Allen who added that he lost his helmet when attempting to change his goggles, but was not perturbed by this.
Earlier in the afternoon, 5-2 chance MINISTEROFFINANCE made hacks of his nine opponents in winning the Dr. Ralston Feanny Memorial Trophy for native bred three-year-olds over 1100 metres. With leading all-time jockey Winston Griffiths riding for trainer Joseph Thomas, MINISTEROFFINANCE chased the 2-1 marginal favourite MYSTIC RIVER in the backstretch before going by early in the straight to win by 6 3/4 lengths from EASTERN LIGHT (2-1).
On a day which saw as many as five No. 4 horses winning, the Frank Parham-trained KELHOMBRE (9-5) with Clive Lynch aboard, outduelled long-time leader and favourite SYMBOL OF HOPE from early in the straight to win the Lester Saunders Memorial Trophy over 1400 metres for native bred two-year-olds by 3 1/2 lengths.
Race No. 3 in the CTL Claiming series over the straight five course resulted in a tremendous blanket finish, victory going to the 13-1 chance ROYAL DESIRE by a nose from 56-1 outsider MAHENDRA EXPRESS and another nose to long-time leader and favourite HEAVENLY DREAMS who was caught within shades of the wire in a field of 10.
The Wilfred Chin-trained ROYAL DESIRE was a chance ride for Trinidadian jockey Learie Seecharan.
'Fanna' Griffiths (Rakkadash, Sterofabulous), Allen (Sterofa-bulous, Classy Tanya), Barrington Rambally and Feanny (Rakkadash, Sterofabulous) had two winners each.
