VISOR OFF, TONGUE-TIE ON AND WHISKY IS A WINNER
Whisky, running with the visor off and the tongue tie on, came out victorious in a native-bred, three-year-old maiden condition call going seven furlongs (1,400m).
With Bebeto Harvey riding for trainer Richard Azan, Whisky was always in a striking position, settling in third place down the backstretch behind Call The Emperor (Roger Hewitt) and Givemethelight (Nicholas Hibbert).
Whisky made his intention known when he went in chase of Call The Emperor navigating the half-mile (800m) before picking up while turning for home. Whisky battled on well to win the race by two lengths in a time of 1:30.0.
Finishing second was Joe, the mount of Linton Steadman, with third going to Call The Emperor. The splits were 24.3 x 48.4 x 1:14.3.
GENTLE GIANT GOES ALL THE WAY
Four-year-old bay gelding Gentle Giant made one move to win a three-year-old and upwards Optional Claiming ($400,000-$300,000) event going 5 ½ furlongs (1,100m).
Jockey Paul Francis broke the Ryan Darby trainee on top -racing in front of the rail-running Loose Cannon (Nicholas Hibbert). Going into the half-mile Gentle Giant upped the tempo and increased his lead over Loose Cannon and Thegoodlife (Chris Mamdeen).
Turning for home Loose Cannon tried to renew his challenge, but Gentle Giant turned the event into a one-sided affair and the fleet-footed runner sprinted clear to win by nine lengths. Loose Cannon finished in second place ahead of Thegoodlife in third. The final time was clocked at 1:08.4.
ULTIMATUM A WINNER AFTER AN EQUIPMENT CHANGE
Trained by Tensang Chung and ridden by Anthony Thomas, Ultimatum returned to the races with the blinkers off and was successful in a native-bred five-year-old and upwards (non-winners of three travelling 5 ½ furlongs.
It was a smooth start for Ultimatum as the bay mare sat sweetly in third place going into the turn behind Nina Dorado, ridden by Javaniel Patterson, and Awesome Boy (Dick Cardenas). In a flash, Ultimatum surrounded rivals at the top of the lane and began to draw away from rivals.
Ultimatum won by 2 ¾ lengths ahead of Wifey Sez So (Aaron Chatrie) and Duke of Springs (Samantha Fletcher) in a time of 1:10.2.
DONOVAN PHILLIPPS NOTCHES HIS FIRST WIN IN 2022
Trainer Donovan Phillipps saddled his first winner this season when his charge Balazo romped a three-year-old and upwards Optional Claiming ($550,000-$450,000) spread five furlongs straight.
Ridden by Raddesh Roman, Balzao disputed the early lead with Lala Diva (Dane Dawkins) and Casual Charm (Chalrick Budhai). Passing the dummy rails, Balazo began to edge away from rivals, winning by 1 ¾ lengths in a time of 1:00.1.
Danny Spud (Shane Richardson) came on strong toward the end of the race for second place ahead of Nakamura, the mount of Reyan Lewis, in third place.
FIVE HORSES CLAIMED
Ryan Darby claimed Thegoodlife for owner Randall Shaw for $375,000 from Jason DaCosta in the second race.
Tyrone Prince claimed Boss Izzy for owner Paul Nugent for $250,000 from Steven Todd in the fourth race.
In the fifth race, Keffin Murray claimed Danny Spud for owner Mayon Myles from Phillip Elliott, Welsh Soutar claimed Lala Diva for himself from Everal Francis; and Michael Marlowe claimed Nakamura for owner Owen Walters from Lawrence Freemantle. All horses in the fifth race were claimed for $550,000 each.
