DaCosta set to dominate Sunday’s feature races

CHAMPION trainer Jason DaCosta looks all set to sweep Sunday’s Portmore and Kingston, Guineas trials with SOCIAL AVIATOR and RUNAWAY STAR, contrasting runners-up in the recent Thornbird and Prince Consort Stakes.

RUNAWAY STAR actually passed the post first in the seven-furlong Prince Consort Stakes but had his number taken down, disqualified, and placed second behind HONOUR PRINCE for a grievous, schoolyard-like infringement sparked by Raddesh Roman’s right-handed whipping a furlong and a half out.

The stewards could have almost put up the disqualification light a furlong out due to the severity of the infringement, which had caused Phillip Parchment to take a big pull astride rail-running HONOUR PRINCE, who rallied bravely to get within a length at the wire.

With stablemate I DREAM AGAIN returning to carry the fractions and HONOUR PRINCE skipping the event, RUNAWAY STAR should be on easy street in the Kingston.

SOCIAL AVIATOR paid the price of DaCosta opting to shun claiming riders in the Thornbird, outfinished by HANSA, who she allowed 11lb in a length and a half defeat. HANSA literally floated past SOCIAL AVIATOR with the lightweight close home, carrying 109lb due to Tajay Suckoo’s seven-pound claim.

Undefeated in two starts prior to the Thornbird, SOCIAL AVIATOR, now only two pounds heavier than most of her rivals, only has Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes winner BURNING HEDGE to fear should she return to form after a dour performance in the Thornbird.

BURNING HEDGE might not have liked the going made a bit tough after drying out following showers. She appeared to be shying from the dirt being kicked at her and could very well turn the form of the Thornbird on its head.