Orville Clarke, Freelance WriterDARLING ANNA and SI MI TRIAL, both odds-on favourites, recorded impressive victories in two of the four trophy races marking Jockeys' Guild of Jamaica Day at Caymanas Park yesterday.
Last year's 1000 Guineas winner SI MI TRIAL, racing for the first time since finishing second to A KING IS BORN in last November's Red Stripe Caribbean Sprint, returned with a bang under leading jockey Charles Hussey to win the overnight allowance race for the George HoSang Trophy over the straight five course as the 3-5 favourite.
Earlier in the afternoon, another 3-5 favourite, DARLING ANNA, streaked home by 7 3/4 lengths in the restricted allowance V for the Jockeys' Guild Trophy (non-winners of two five-year-olds and up) over 1400 metres.
CHANGE OF STABLES
The second of three winners on the 11-race programme for in-form lightweight jockey Wesley Henry, DARLING ANNA made virtually all. She turned for home just ahead of pesky STEAD GOLD, but quickly found another gear to win by a wide margin from 2-1 second favourite MAJESTIC KING under veteran jockey David McKenzie in a field of nine.
Bred by Henry Jaghai, DARLING ANNA, who recently changed stables, is owned by Sons Of The Lane and trained by Michael Beecham.
The trainer said she was transferred to him from the stables of Robert Darby Jr. in February before that trainer left for Florida.
"I got her in reasonably good shape but thought she needed something extra to bring out the best in her so I put her on Lasix," Beecham said. "That had the desired effect and this was her first victory in almost two years.
SI MI TRIAL, meanwhile, chased the early leader FLYING TIGER on the stands' side in the 13-strong field.. She disposed of FLYING TIGER coming into the main track and cruised home by 4 1/4 lengths from 5-1 shot SENOR GATOR, covering the distance in the smart time of 58.1.
A 4-y-o chestnut filly by Crucial Trail out of Bonsai, SI MI TRIAL is owned by Edison Chai and trained by reigning champion Wayne DaCosta who had a second winner on the card in odds-on favourite HIDALGO in the opening race for three-year-olds, with Hussey astride.
The closing straight five race for the Al Gopie Memorial Cup (maiden four-year-olds and up) resulted in a post-to-post runaway victory for 8-5 second favourite THAT'STHELAW, ridden by Oneil Mullings for trainer Barry Rambally.
