Delay Of Game takes feature

Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

DELAY OF GAME, running at odds of 2-1 with back-to-form Leo Miller aboard, disposed of long-time leader PHOENIX SUN entering the straight to win the Labour Day Trophy over 1200 metres, the feature event at Caymanas Park yesterday.

Owned and trained by current champion Wayne DaCosta, DELAY OF GAME was smartly away from the outside gate in the 10-horse field, but quickly gave way to 13-1 shot PHOENIX SON with Andrew Thomas aboard.

PHOENIX SON proceeded to lead by two lengths from DELAY OF GAME and highly fancied DOCTOR FEEL GOOD disputing second, followed by HERE'S MY GIRL and POINT GUARD with TERRA FIRMA surprisingly outpaced on the inside.

DELAY OF GAME mounted her challenge approaching the home turn, turned for home heads on with PHOENIX SON and soon struck the front.

She turned back a feeble challenge from HERE'S MY GIRL approaching the distance then lengthened her strides early in the last furlong, leaving HERE'S MY GIRL and TERRA FIRMA to fight it out for second, with TERRA FIRMA who came wide into the straight, prevailing by a nose for the runner-up slot.

DELAY OF GAME thus turned the tables on TERRA FIRMA who beat her into third place when they last met over the same distance in the Easter Sprint Cup on April 24 (Easter Monday). She is a four-year-old bay filly by Star Attitude out of Splendour, who was claimed out of a 1300 metres race for $310,000 by DaCosta on February 5.

Earlier on the holiday card, 2000 Guineas winner I'MSATISFIED made heavy weather of winning his Derby prep, a Starter Handicap I and II over 1600 metres.

Installed a 2-5 favourite in a field of five, I'MSATISFIED, who bypassed last Saturday's Lotto Classic Governor's Cup owing to his unfavourable weight allotment, took over the lead from stable companion SOLID IMPACT approaching the home turn. Although racing clear approaching the distance, he had to be driven out by jockey Percy Williams in the closing stages to thwart a late run from top weight ALEXDIMASTER with in-form Shane Ellis aboard.

I'MSATISFIED, who had his first race since the April 1 Track Price Plus 2000 Guineas, won by three-quarters of a length, But while fully extended at the finish, Feanny "was satisfied" with the performance in "that company" as he prepares the son of The zMedic-Midnight Angel for his biggest assignment on June 10.

I'MSATISFIED was one of three favourites to score on a day when Ellis rode two winners in MAXX TRAXX (5-2) and GENERAL VERRAZANO (6-5), and trainer Michael Mattis saddled two in GENERAL VERRAZANO and 9-2 shot EL MATADOR, who ran on strongly along the rails to catch the Feanny-trained WYLE COYOTE napping in the closing stages of the fifth race over 1200 metres.

Lee Clarke, president of the Trainers' Association, saddled his first winner in many, many moons when his six-year-old mare, OSHIN, romped the fourth race for maidens at odds of 8-1.

Last year's Labour Day meet was aborted by a strike called by the Trainers Association with Clarke at the forefront.

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