Last of out the gates, first by 6 ½ lengths
KINGSTON, Jamaica – “There off, and Nefertari staggers out giving away lots of ground to rivals.” Those were the words of ace racing commentator Brian Rickman at the start of the sixth race (Sat, Mar 12).
Nefertari, a bay filly by Savoy Stomp -Princess Geeta, a first-timer trained by champion Anthony Nunes with Linton Steadman aboard, was not rushed by a patient Steadman, coming down slowly to enter the straight on the outside but still well behind the leaders.
Then with a rarely seen level of propulsion in this grade of maiden three-year-olds going 6 ½ furlongs, Nefertari caught the leaders at the furlong pole, flying by to win by all of 6 ½ lengths. Mila’s All That (Dane Dawkins) was second and Zion Princess a 70-1 outsider finished third.
“We took Nefertari to the gates again on Thursday last, and she behaved well, no trouble at all. She gave no problems in the saddling barn nor while parading, so I was surprised to see how she reacted today at the start.
“Nefertari gives the impression in training that she will prefer the longer distances, so, let us wait and see. I am really pleased with this first time effort, but would have preferred a better start,” trainer Nunes said after the race.
| RACE 6 NB 3YO MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT (FILLIES) 6-1/2 FURLONGS 3:10 PM | ||||||
| POS | NO | HORSE | JOCKEY | ODDS | WIN | PLACE |
| 1 | 6 | Nefertari | Linton Steadman | 1-1 | $100.00 | $67.00 |
| 2 | 4 | Mila's All That | Dane Dawkins | 9-5 | $61.00 | |
| 3 | 2 | Zion Princess | Ruja lahoe | 70-1 | $350.00 | |
| 4 | 8 | She's Fantastic | Shane Ellis | 2-1 | ||
| 5 | 7 | Dujour | Anthony Thomas | 14-1 | ||
| TRAINER: Anthony Nunes | ||||||
| Splits: 23.4 x 47.2 x 1:15.1 - Final Time: 1:23.2 - Margins: 6 1/2 by 1 - 11 RAN | ||||||
| Ex: $304 | T/Fecta: $1,032 | Hi-5: $3,575 | ||||
| Qu: $150 | S/Fecta: $2,945 | Triple: $31,826 | ||||
| D/E: $5,268 | Reggae 6: $190,844 | Pick-4: $18,512 | ||||
