FIGURE-8 DOES IT FOR PARTY PRINCESS
Party Princess, running with the figure-8 on, found extra in deep stretch to defeat rivals in a five-year-old and upwards (non-four) event over 6 furlongs (1,200m).
Trained by Anthony Subratie and ridden by Roger Hewitt, Party Princess shot to the front at the off and held a slim lead ahead of Papa Albert (Romario Spencer), Bay Commander (Calvin Bailey) and Kunama (Shane Ellis). Papa Albert pointed on Party Princess going into the half-mile turn as they drew clear of the chasing pack.
Papa Albert turned for home and went wide coming off the bend and this allowed Party Princess, who turned for home in centre track, to regain the lead. Party Princess won by 4 ¾ lengths ahead of Moon (Matthew Bennett) and Kunama in a time of 1:18.1.
CHANGE OF EQUIPMENT AND RIDEWITHTHEMOB IS A WINNER
After two dismal runs with blinkers and Lasix, the Nicholas Smith-conditioned Ridewiththemob returned to the races with the tongue-tie and won a four-year-old and up (non-two) contest at 6 ½ furlongs (1,300m).
Ridewiththemob (Chris Mamdeen), settled in fourth place down the backstretch as Awesome Aviator (Jemar Jackson), Nasdaq Princess (Aaron Chatrie) and Mamasharondarling (Roger Hewitt) disputed the lead.
Navigating the half-mile turn, Ridewiththemob, who was still in fourth place, made up ground on the leaders. Turning for home, Mamdeen produced his mount on the outside of runners and Ridewiththemob responded well and got up to beat Mamasharondarling by 1 1/4 lengths.
Fiery Path (Samantha Fletcher) ran on to get third place, losing out by a neck to Mamasharondarling. The final time was 1:24.3.
BALAZO MAKES ONE MOVE
Neglected at odds of 13-1, eight-year-old chestnut gelding Balazo made one move to lead home rivals in an Optional Claiming ($550,000-$450,000) spread going 6 furlongs (1,200m).
With apprentice Shane Richardson riding for trainer Fitzgerald Richards, Balazo jumped to the front at the start and held his lead ahead of It’s All I (Chris Mamdeen) and Action Run (Devon A Thomas). Going into the half-mile turn, Balazo upped the tempo and increased his advantage ahead of It’s All I and the railing running Nuclear Emma (Paul Francis).
Turning for home, Balazo was challenged by It’s All I but Richardson kept his mount up to his work and the Strikewhileitshot offspring edged away for the win. Balazo won by a neck. Nuclear Emma finished in third place. The final time was 1:15.2.
NINE HORSES CLAIMED
Joseph Durrant claimed Party Princess for owner Ricardo Durrant from Errol Subratie for $180,000, while Lechester Beech claimed Papa Albert for owner Dr Lynden Richards from Norman Smith also for $180,000 from the first race.
In the second race, Nicholas Smith claimed Awesome Aviator for owner The Hustler from Steven Todd; Donovan Plummer claimed Mamasharondarling for himself from Joseph Thomas, and Fitzgerald Richards claimed Ridewiththemob for owner Libran Connection from Nicholas Smith. All three horses from the second event were claimed for $250,000 each.
In the third race, Leroy Tomlinson claimed Action Run for owner Narco from Keffin Murray, Marlon Anderson claimed Killer Bee for Dr Lynden Richards from Johnny Wilmot, Jason DaCosta claimed It’s All I for owner Elizabeth DaCosta from Nicholas Smith, and Lincoln Lung claimed Baltusrol for owner Fitzroy Davidson from Norman Smith. All horses were claimed for $550,000 each.
