Orville Clarke, Freelance WriterCOMING FROM a seemingly hopeless position at the rear of the field, SHAHID produced a tremendous stretch run to win the Knutsford Park Cup feature for native bred three-year-olds (non winners of two) over 1200 metres, at Caymanas Park yesterday.
Ridden by Panamanian jockey Rojidan Ramirez for owner Kissimee and trainer Richard Donaldson, SHAHID, offering odds of 9-2 in a field of 12, won by 1 1/4 lengths from 35-1 outsider SPEED MACHINE under fellow Panamanian rider Ameth Robles.
SPEED MACHINE had a length and a half to spare over 2-1 chance GLOBAL AFFAIR with champion jockey Charles Hussey up, while not far behind in fourth was the 2-1 marginal favourite PROMINENT with two-time champion Joe Buchanan aboard.
SHAHID was tailed off in last position early stages as 9-1 chance HEAVENLY DREAMS led from SPEED MACHINE, ROCK AND ROLL (7-1) and PROMINENT close up on the outside.
SPEED MACHINE took over leaving the half mile but as they galloped towards the home turn, PROMINENT was produced with a smooth challenge on the outside.
Both turned for home almost on level terms and were still engaged passing the furlong pole when SHAHID got into top gear in mid-track.
Finishing like a runaway train, the bay colt by Star Attitude out of Sakena exploded midway through the last furlong to win going away.
This was SHAHID's second win from 12 career starts. He had previously won over the circular nine course on May 25 when leading home subsequent winner VIGILANTE by 7 1/2 lengths. We are yet to see the best of this versatile but somewhat unpredictable colt.
Later in the afternoon, veteran lightweight jockey Robert Reid again showed why he is perhaps the best distance jockey riding at Caymanas Park when booting home 7-2 chance NEFTENGA by 2 1/2 lengths in the Starter Handicap 1 and II over the circular nine course.
Held up as highly fancied PREACH PREACHER, bidding for her sixth consecutive win, led from PHAREAL and the 7-5 favourite AWESOME POWER, NEFTENGA was produced from the final bend. At this stage, topweight AWESOME POWER had shot clear after going through at the half mile, but this did not deter jockey "Callie" Reid.
He produced the lightly weighted NEFTENGA ferociously on the outside approaching the distance and went by AWESOME POWER in the last furlong to beat the 2001 Derby and Oaks winner decisively in a field of seven. NEFTENGA is owned and trained by Richard AZan.
As is the norm these days, top jockeys Trevor Simpson and Brian Harding shared the riding honours with two winners each. Harding finished the day on 50 winners after winning aboard the 2-y-o debutante PITTACUS and 5-2 favourite BELLY DANCER.
SIMPSON, fresh from a two-day suspension, remained on course to break George HoSang's 1974 record of 167 winners in a season with wins aboard GOINGTOKANSASCITY and PRINCE ADINO, moving to 110.
