Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
RUNNING ON strongly from below the distance, in-form SPECIAL ENVOY extended his winning streak at Caymanas Park yesterday by landing round four of the Craven "A" Championship series over 1200 metres in fine style.
Riden by top apprentice Kenyatta Davis for defending Craven 'A' trainer and current series leader Richie Todd, SPECIAL ENVOY powered home by 2 1/4 lengths from the 17-1 outsider WHAT'S UP DOC and 5-2 second favourite SHE'S REVIEW in a field of nine.
However, following a Stewards' Inquiry, the apprentice-ridden WHAT'S UP DOC was disqualified and placed sixth for causing interference to the winner's lesser-fancied stable-companion BRIBERY (4-1) a furlong out and SHE'S REVIEW was promoted to second. Fourth past the post, MUTUAL AGREEMENT, was awarded third and TEXAS WIN, fourth.
It was SHE'S REVIEW who led narrowly from BRIBERY and MUTUAL AGREEMENT before giving way to ROYAL VICTORY at the half mile, at which stage SPECIAL ENVOY was held off the pace in fifth.
ROYAL VICTORY carried the field into the straight, but quickly came under pressure. He was gobbled up by a wall of horses approaching the distance. But with WHAT'S UP DOC, BRIBERY, SHE'S REVIEW and SPECIAL ENVOY all in with a chance at that stage, the superior fitness of SPECIAL ENVOY was evident as they flashed inside the last furlong. The six-year-old son of Wise Emissary out of the 1987 Fillies Guineas winner, Silent Account, soon quickened into a clear lead on the outside to win convincingly.
Owned by G.E. Racing and bred by Mount Moreland Farms, SPECIAL ENVOY notched his fourth consecutive win and his second in the current Craven 'A' series, having romped home in race three over the circular nine course on April 22.
As a result of yesterday's win, Todd has widened his lead in the trainers' category and is an overwhelming favourite to retain the Craven 'A' trainers' title even with five races remaining in the series.
Leading trainer Philip Feanny, fresh from his Derby triumph with I'MSATISFIED on the previous Saturday, saddled three winners on the card in odds-on favourites WYLE COYOTE and the two-year-old MILLIMETRE, as well as MISSISSIPPI MEDIC who ran on strongly in midstretch to win the round five overnight allowance at odds of 5-2. WYLE COYOTE and MILLIMETRE were ridden by in-form jockey Percy Williams.
Also riding two winners was Allen Maragh in MILLIME and SIR KISSON LAL at 2-1 for his cousin, trainer Collin Maragh.
