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Nunes sweeps Guineas trials

Published:Saturday | March 14, 2015 | 7:10 PMOrville Clarke
Jermaine Barnaby
Cedric Stewart (left), Caymanas Track Limited CEO, presents the winning trophy to trainer Anthony Nunes following Jevanne Erwin's win aboard BERRANCA in the Thornbird Stakes at Caymanas Park yesterday. Looking on is jockey Jevanne Erwin and Oral Clarke (second right).

Topline trainer Anthony 'Baba' Nunes left Caymanas Park in a blaze of glory yesterday, thanks to three winners on the 11-race programme, including BERRANCA and SIEMPRE BUENO, in the Guineas

trials co-feature over 1400 metres.

BERRANCA, running at odds of 8-1 with in-form Jevanne Erwin riding for owner Stephan Narinesingh, produced a tremendous last furlong run to catch and beat long-time leader MOM'S STUDENT (6-5), under champion jockey Dane Nelson, by 13/4 lengths in the $1.1 million Thornbird Stakes contested by seven native bred three-year-old fillies.

The 4-5 favourite, WAHEED NAJ-MAH, with Shane Ellis up, flattened out in the straight after racing prominently to finish 103/4 lengths in third.

The manner of this victory, closing rapidly from off the pace, has placed BERRANCA (Adore The Gold - Charity Dance) among the top contenders for the April 4 1000 Guineas over a mile.

"Berranca has shown me that she is coming on at the right time", said Nunes.

" I'm really happy with her progress, and judging from how she won today, will find a mile right up her street,' added the second-generation trainer.

Not far off

Nunes was no less enthused by the victory of 7-2 chance SIEMPRE BUENO, with Nelson aboard, in the Prince Consort Stakes contested by seven colts and geldings.

Never far off the pace as howling 1-2 favourite BUZZ NIGHTMARE (Ian Spence up) led from POKER STAR (3-1), SIEMPRE BUENO (figure eight on) went in chase approaching the 600-mere pole. He circled the previously unbeaten BUZZ NIGHTMARE, from the Philip Feanny stables, entering the straight and kept on strongly to win by two lengths from POKER STAR, ridden by Robert Halledeen for champion trainer Wayne DaCosta. BUZZ NIGHTMARE weakened badly in the straight to finish sixth.

Owned by Elias Haloute, SIEMPRE BUENO's fast-time win (1:25.3) has served to strengthen the hands of Nunes for the 2000 Guineas on April 6 (Easter Monday). The in-form trainer will saddle the ante-post favourite, ALACRANN, who is yet to race this season following his big win in the SVL Jamaica 2-Y-O Stakes over a mile last Boxing Day.

On a day when Sizzla and Dexta Daps provided entertainment for the large crowd in the McKay Security monthly series of live shows, Nunes saddled a third winner in GOLDEN BULLET (5-2), who romped the third race over 1820 metres with Nelson aboard.