Trainer Ryan Williams off the mark
Trainer Ryan Williams notched his first winner for the 2021 racing season after his charge Unbreakable ridden by Dane Nelson won a four-year-old and upwards claiming ($250,000-$200,000) event over 6 furlongs (1,200m).
Unbreakable was always prominent from the start of the race as the 10-year-old chestnut gelding settled in third going into the half-mile (800m) turn behind Original Train (Jordan Barrett) and Waltzing Matilda (Dick Cardenas).
Unbreakable surrounded horses at the top of the lane and looked like an easy winner from there on but with yards to go, had to withstand the late surge of Whatever (Paul Francis) to win by half-length. Waltzing Matilda held on for third place as the final time was recorded at a pedestrian 1:19.1
Anaso wins Millard Ziadia Memorial Cup at odds of 28/1
Sent off at odds of 28/1, Anaso, under good guidance from Paul Francis, got up in time to beat Mr Universe to win the $1 -million Millard Ziadie Memorial Cup over 5 ½ furlongs (1,100m).
Anaso broke on top at the off ahead of Mr Universe and Beltane (Orlando Foster), but the Ryan Darby trainee allowed Mr Universe (Tevin Foster) to go by approaching the half-mile (800m).
Mr Universe, turned for home with a clear lead but Francis produced his mount for a late run and the six-year-old bay gelding changed through gears and got up in time for the win, winning by 1 ½ lengths in a time of 1:07.2. This was the first time that Anaso was racing for Darby after being claimed.
Prince Charles (under Dane Nelson) came from behind to get third place in the three-year-old and upwards claiming ($1 million - $800,000) contest.
Change of equipment and Puskas is a winner
Running with the figure 8 on, Puskas came with a strong run towards the end of the race and was able to get up in time to win the four-year-old and upwards Restricted Allowance V event down the straight course at five furlongs (1,000m).
Trained by Spencer Chung and ridden by Aaron Chatrie, Puskas (Sensational Slam – Golden Blitz) sat behind K D Flyer for most of the way. Coming across the track from the number one draw to the outside rails, a rejuvenated Chatrie produced his mount for an effort and Puskas got up in time for the win. Puskas was a neck in front of K D Rocket at the wire. The winning time posted was 1:00.4.
Easy does it for Diosa de Oro
Diosa de Oro, trained by Patrick Taylor, obliged as the 4-5 favourite in the three-year-old and upwards claiming ($450,000-$400,000) event over 7 furlongs (1,400m).
Ridden by Javanel Patterson, Diosa de Oro (Strom Craft – Seguro Oro) won, without breaking a sweat, by seven lengths – still going away from rivals.
After taking a couple strides to get into the groove, Diosa de Oro hit the front down the backstretch and never looked back. Cruising coming into the lane, Diosa de Oro turned on the pressure in deep stretch to win ahead of Radical (Roshane Johnson) and Awesome Aviator (Linton Steadman).
Eleven horses claimed
The claiming box was busy as 11 hoses went through on the 11-race programme.
In the first race, Donovan Russell claimed Waltzing Matilda for 0wner Donovan Williams for $250,000 from Ray Phillips and Michael Francis claimed Unbreakable for owner Delroy Wellington, also for $250,000 from Ryan Williams.
Ryan Williams claimed Prince Charles for owner Garth Samuels from Anthony Nunes for $1 million from the second race.
In the ninth race, Byron Davis claimed Killer Bee for owner Glendon Drummond from Gary Griffiths; Dennis Lee claimed Diosa De Oro for owner Top Rock from Patrick Taylor; Michael Francis claimed Awesome Aviator for owner Peter Mason from Steven Todd; and Alford Brown claimed Kiah for owner Modern Connection from Tyrone Prince. All horses were claimed for $450,000 each, from the ninth event.
In the 11th race, Patrick Lynch claimed Lala Diva for himself for $750,000 from Kingsley Davis; Junior Small claimed Azaria for owner Barrington Bernard for $675,000 from Gary Griffiths; Ryan Darby claimed Lord Ashton for owner Debbie Clarke for $750,000 from Ray Phillips; and Johnny Wilmot claimed Dysfunctional for owner Michael Wray for $750,000 from Dennis Pryce.
