Wakonda shines in feature By Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer THE 6-5 favourite WAKONDA romped home the 3-y-o Maiden Condition race for the Hugh Levy Jr. Memorial Cup at Caymanas Park yesterday, this over 1300 metres. Ridden by Richie Mitchell for owner Winston Kong and trainer Wayne DaCosta, WAKONDA won by 3 1/2 lengths from 2-1 chance CALENDAR GIRL and 36-1 outsider EXCLUSIVE JOY in a field of nine. Held just off the early pace as KOOLGREENMONEY led in tearaway fashion from LADY VIGOROUS, WAKONDA made good headway leaving the half mile to go in chase of the leader. She disposed of KOOLGREENMONEY approaching the home turn and with CALENDAR GIRL beginning to come forward under Charles Hussey as they swung into the straight, WOKANDA quickly put paid to her chances to win unchallenged. CALENDAR GIRL had three lengths to spare over EXCLUSIVE JOY in third, while LADY VIGOROUS at 11-1 was fourth. WAKONDA is a dark bay filly by The Medic out of the Exotic Traveler mare Kazan. Owner Kong was on hand to receive the trophy from Jockey Club president Hugh Levy Jr. in whose honour the race was run. Later in the afternoon, DaCosta just failed to complete a double when his one-time Caribbean Sprint champion SPECTACULAR RUN was narrowly beaten by NEFTENGA in the Starter Handicap II and Overnight Allowance race over 1100 metres. Running at odds of 9-5 under title chasing Charles Hussey, NEFTENGA produced a terrific last furlong run to catch long-time leader SPECTACULAR RUN close home, winning by a neck in a field of five second eleven campaigners. The 8-5 SPECTACULAR RUN, ridden by Panamanian jockey Ameth Robles for MP Derrick Smith, looked the likely winner when turning back a feeble challenge from 6-1 chance MAN FROM ELDORADO (chased) in mid-stretch. But he wilted in the last 100 metres and just failed to thwart Richard Azan's NEFTENGA. Apprentice Kerry Perry emerged the day's most successful rider with back-to-back winners in SILVER PATRIOT (2-1) and STAR CREEK (9-5), both favourites. The Gresford Smith-trained SILVER PATRIOT held on by half a length to repel a late challenge from the Winston Griffiths-ridden RAJMIR (5-2) in the second race over the circular nine course. And Rowan Mathie's STAR CREEK ran strongly in mid-stretch to win the fifth race over 1400 metres by two lengths to post his second consecutive win. The day's major upset came via the Steve Budhoo-trained FROMAJACKTOAKING at 44-1 in the sixth race over the straight five course. The 3-y-o chestnut gelding stormed through in the closing stages to catch and beat CLARENDON KID (7-2) and LADY CHAMELI (29-1) in a driving finish. He was ridden by apprentice Rudolph "Yellow" Paige. Leading all-time jockey Winston Griffiths moved to within one of his 1400th career win after booting home 9-5 chance WHITE GOLD in the eighth race.
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