Orville Clarke, Freelance WriterROYAL RUN, ridden by champion jockey Trevor Simpson, humbled his fleet-footed stable-companion LIL' COUNTRY BOY to win the Eros Trophy graded stakes over 1400 metres at Caymanas Park yesterday.
Installed a 4-5 second favourite in a field of five, ROYAL RUN blasted past 3-5 favourite LIL COUNTRY BOY under four-time
champion jockey Charles Hussey a furlong out to beat the in-form American horse by 5 3/4 lengths, equalling the stakes record 1:24.1 held by the classy American filly TEMPERENCE OAKS since December 1997.
As is customary, LIL'COUNTRY BOY showed superior speed to lead comfortably from another of his three stable-companions CRUCIAL POINT in the small field. However, he was unable to poach a good enough lead over the easy going ROYAL RUN at the half mile and appeared in trouble when the six-year-old gelding cruised down on his heels approaching the home turn.
ROYAL RUN mounted his challenge on the outside entering the straight and after a brief duel with LIL'COUNTRY BOY, who looked somewhat jaded on this occasion, moved away in mid-stretch for an emphatic win.
CRUCIAL POINT held on for third enabling trainer Wayne DaCosta to sweet the first three places, despite the fact that was one of his five runners, ROYAL MALICE, was declared a late non-starter.
ROYAL RUN is owned by the Ping Pong Stables and bred by many-time champion Henry Jaghai J.P. The 6-y-o bay gelding by Royal Minister out of Run Marisa Run was notching his second win from three starts this season, having won easily over 1500 metres in open allowance company on January 15.
RIDING A WINNER
Simpson, who proceeded to ride three winners on the card to share the spotlight with trainer Richie Todd, always felt he was aboard a winner in ROYAL RUN.
"The way I saw it both he and Lil' Country Boy are proven grade one horses. In light of this I just couldn't see Lil Country Boy giving him so much weight... not over seven furlongs", said the five-time champion jockey.
Still, the day provided a mixed bag for 'Slicer' Simpson, whose mount FRENCH MINISTER (5-2) was beaten a nose by 2-1 favourite MEDICAL ACCOUNT under smart apprentice Kerry-Gayl Robinson in a tremendous head bob in the ninth race.
Then in the next race for the George HoSang Trophy (overnight allowance) over the straight five course, Simpson's mount NATURAL PRINCE, the 7-5 favourite, was disqualified and placed fourth after passing the post third, this for interferring with
BATTLEOX 300 metres out.
NATURAL PRINCE led in mid-track, ahead of MILLENIUM PRINCESS, SEAGAR the eventual winner CHOSEN ONE in the eight-strong field, but ran out off a true line in the latter stages, forcing Allen Maragh aboard 7-1 chance BATTLEOX, who was prominently placed at the time, to change course.
CHOSEN ONE, the 9-5 second favourite with Trinidadian jockey Brian Harding aboard, quickened from just off the early pace to lead early in the last furlong and held on grimly by a short head from the grey SEAGAR (7-2) with Charles Hussey aboard.
The third Trophy race, the Tewfic Ziadie Memorial Cup (claiming $320,000 $270,000) over the circular nine course, resulted in a runaway win for the 6-5 favourite MOLTEN LAVA, ridden by Larris Allen for trainer Richie Todd who also posted 7-2 chance AMANDA'S GOLD to win the third race and WILD ZONE at similar odds in the sixth.
