SWEET MEDICINE GOES ONE BETTER
SWEET Medicine followed up on her second-place finish on last behind Miss Linda Wray over 7 furlongs (1,400m) with a runaway victory in a three-year-old and upwards Optional Claiming ($250,000-$200,000) spread over 6 furlongs (1,200m).
Trained by David Lee Sin and ridden by Aaron Chatrie, Sweet Medicine was sharp at the off as the six-year-old chestnut mare settled in second place just on the outside of the railing-running Poker Star, under Romario Spencer.
Sweet Medicine followed Poker Star closely around the half-mile (800m), with Sweet Surprise (Odeen Edwards) taking aim approaching the distance. Turning for home, Sweet Medicine assumed the lead and quickly sprinted clear to register a 13-length win at the wire in a time of 1:18.0. Poker Star held on for second place with Sweet Surprise getting third place.
EXPEDITIOUS IN 10-1 UPSET
NEGLECTED at odds of 10-1, the Marlon Anderson-trained Expeditious made one move to upset rivals in a Restricted Allowance IV event for five-year-olds and upward over 7 furlongs (1,400m).
With Ramon Nepare in the saddle Expeditious jumped right in front at the off and held the lead down the backstretch, ahead of Funky Fashion (Dane Dawkins), Better Best (Youville Pinnock) and Toughness (Tevin Foster).
Expeditious maintained his gallop until navigating the half mile (800m) when he upped the tempo and brought the field into the lane with a sizeable lead. The bay gelding then found extra in deep stretch and went on to win by 5½ lengths ahead of Better Best and Funky Fashion. The final time was 1:32.1.
ANOTHER WIN FOR SAMANTHA FLETCHER
SAMANTHA Fletcher continued to make her presence known among the top riders when she rode winner number eight for the season aboard Persistent One, trained by Donovan Plummer, in a five-year-old and upwards Restricted Allowance V race over five furlongs (1,000m) straight.
It was a good start for Persistent One when the starter pressed the go button as Fletcher held the bay mare in second place behind expected leader Buzz Assault (Odeen Edwards). Three Card Guy (Andre Powell) also showed good speed in the early exchanges.
Coming across the dummy rails, Persistent One was well-positioned on the outside rails with Fletcher keeping her mount up to the task at hand, gaining on Buzz Assault with every stride. In the end, Persistent One got up for the win, half-length ahead of Buzz Assault in a time of 1:03.3. Finishing third was Audibility (Dick Cardenas).
VANQUISHER IN ONE SHAKE
TRAINED by Ray Phillips and ridden by Matthew Bennett, Vanquisher led from start to finish in a four-year-old and upwards Restricted Allowance IV event over 5½ furlongs (1,100m).
Intentions were made clear from the barriers were opened as Vanquisher was hustled up to the early lead ahead of Cataba (Aaron Chatrie), Pass The Booze (Roger Hewitt) and Oldkingcole (Tevin Foster) going into the half-mile turn.
Entering the lane, Vanquisher was tested by Cataba for a brief moment before the former found extra and edged away for the win. Vanquisher won by a neck ahead of Oldkingcole and Turnonthelight (Javaniel Patterson) in a time of 1:10.0.
SEVEN HORSES CLAIMED
DELROY Waugh claimed Poker Star for owner Kyle Brown for $250,000 from Randolph Scott from the first race.
Tensang Chung claimed Amy The Butcher for owner Delroy Thomas for $1 million from Anthony Nunes from the fifth race.
In the ninth race, Phillip Elliott claimed Salah for owner Andrew Elliott from Joseph Thomas; Errol Subratie claimed Sunshine Cat for owner Carl Ewart from Ryan Darby; Michael Marlowe claimed winner Silent Cat for owner Owen Walters from Uton Stewart; Patrick Taylor claimed Hecandance for owner Von White from Robert Ffrench; and Dennis Thwaites claimed Zabratone for owner Carlton Watson from Ray Phillips. All horses from the ninth event were claimed for $550,000 each.
