CHANGE OF EQUIPMENT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE FOR THEGOODLIFE
Thegoodlife, running with the blinkers on for the first time in 21 career starts, led home rivals in a native-bred four-year-old and upwards (non-winners of two) and for imported four-year-olds and upwards (maidens) travelling six furlongs (1,200m).
With Chris Mamdeen riding for trainer Jason DaCosta, Thegoodlife unusual for her shot to the lead when the gates opened with Stickydon (Phillip Parchment) providing the early opposition.
Running on the inside rails, Thegoodlife went further ahead going into the half-mile (800m), and began to open up on rivals approaching the distance. Although she shorten in the final part of the race, Thegoodlife held on to win by half-length in a time of 1:15.3.
Hijo Primero (Anthony Thomas) came on late for second money with Nakamura (Reyan Lewis) third.
WHATEVER IS A CLAIMING WINNER
Trained by Donovan Plummer and ridden by Roger Hewitt, Whatever easily won a three-year-old and upwards Optional Claiming ($250,000-$200,000) spread that also included native-bred six-year-olds and upwards (non-winners of three) and native-bred five-year-olds and upwards (non-winners of two) going 7 ½ furlongs (1,500m).
Whatever sat in second place behind the speedy Kingswood (Anthony Thomas) for most of the way, while maintaining her gallop down the backstretch even though Kingswood upped the tempo going into the half-mile spin.
Whatever hugged the inside rails coming into the turn and was asked to run by Hewitt in deep stretch, then the far-striding mare responded by powering her way to a 5 ¼-length victory. Kingswood finished second with Shashamani Dance getting up for third money.
The final time for the event was recorded at 1:36.4.
QURANDERO GOES ONE BETTER
After finishing 3 ¾ lengths second behind Ultimatum on August 1, Qurandero returned and went one better in a native-bred five-year-old and upwards (non-winners of two) and an imported five-year-old and upwards (maiden) down the five furlongs (1000m) straight course.
Not the best away at the start, Oneil Mullings held the Anthony Smith-conditioned Qurandero close to the leaders as Awesome Boy (Natalie Berger) blazed the early trail, tracked by Valiant (Raddesh Roman) and Three Card Guy, the mount of Andre Powell.
As the runners sorted themselves out passing the dummy rails, Qurandero moved into second place chasing Awesome Boy. In the final furlong, Qurandero found top stride and muscled his way to a length-and-a-half-win ahead of Valiant and Awesome Boy.
Qurandero won in a time of 1:01.3.
SIX HORSES CLAIMED
Keffin Murray claimed Devine Lexie for owner Joel Channer for $250,000 from Ryan Darby, while Ryan Williams claimed Whatever for himself, also for $250,000 from Donovan Plummer from the second race.
In the fifth race, Jason DaCosta claimed Blood Fire for owner Rohan Daley, Fernando Geddes claimed Dodge This Links for owner Desmond Dallas, Roy Matthews claimed El Cid for owner Fitzroy Davidson from Anthony Nunes, and Tyrone Prince claimed Tomohawk for owner Paul Nugent from DaCosta. All horses in the fifth event were claimed for $750,000 each.
