Ten faced the starter in the opening event, a maiden restricted three-year-old fillies on the Sunday-card of nine races. At the end of the seven-furlong gallop, owner/trainer Carlton Cunningham had to be impressed with the performance of Khaleesi (7-2).
Guided by former champion Shane Ellis for the opener of a riding double, the well-conformed grey filly sprinted to the front early and never looked likely to be overtaken at any stage to score by six and a half lengths over 3-5 favourite Cosalivin (Reyan Lewis).
To improve on his four-timer of 24 hours earlier, champion and leading rider Raddesh Roman was aboard his first of two on the card with the Marlon Pusey entry Great Wayne (2-1) running away by nine lengths over the six and a half furlongs of race two.
Roman improved his two-day tally to six with his riding double confirmed in race eight with the Gary Subratie declared The General (3-5) romping the seven-and-a-half-furlong contest by 17 lengths. This was also the trainer’s second success on the card.
Bet at 4-5, Lion of Ekati (USA), although galloping less than fluently in the final furlong of the eight of race three as well as having issues with his back was still just over two lengths clear of nearest rival Last Dance (5-2) as 2023 champion Reyan Lewis executed the riding honours for trainer Norman Smith perfectly.
Speaking of perfect, former two-time titlist Shane Ellis to secure his two-timer was just that aboard the Gary Subratie schooled maiden filly Petty Perfect (7-2) for the first of the trainer’s two wins on the day. Ellis, a second-generation reinsman whose father Winston was a two-time champion, induced a sustained challenge from the very inexperienced Sensational Slam progeny to prevail by just over one length.
Lightweight reinsman Jordan Barrett was the winning rider of race five as Aria’s Reign (13-1), saddled by Steven Todd, would not relinquish her early advantage in a virtual race of matching speed with Princess Ifiyah (6-1). When arrival at the winning post brought the five-and-a-half-furlong contest to an end, Barrett’s mount had an advantage of a neck. For Barrett it was a long-awaited win, which was a chance ride.
Making a belated debut at five years old, schooled by Fitznahum Williams and starting as the 1-2 favourite, chestnut horse The Hot Dancer was a near ten-length winner over stable mate The Real Identity (9-1). Ridden by claimer Richie Shakes, The Hot Dancer won the four-furlong dash of race six in a manner suggesting he is likely to revisit the winners’ enclosure soonest.
Noble Monarch (7-1) dominated the five furlongs round sprint of race seven to score by eight and a half lengths with claimer Ramon Nepare, aboard the Donovan Clarke entry, not required to assist the four-year-old maiden colt at any stage.
In the night cap Spencer Chung’s Champion Bubbler (USA) was a winner by a length and a half at 9-1 with claimer Tajay Suckoo, who was also aboard when the six-year-old imported mare won her previous race over this five-furlong straight course at odds of 10-1.
