- Michael Sloley/Freelance Photographer
MEDIC ON BOARD, ridden by champion jockey Trevor Simpson for top trainer Wayne DaCosta, pulls clear in the closing stages to win the Fontainbleu Trophy (Open Allowance) over 1500 metres at Caymanas Park yesterday to complete a three-timer for DaCosta.
Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
LAST YEAR'S record breaking champion trainer Wayne DaCosta highlighted yesterday's nine-race programme at Caymanas Park with three winners, including 3-1 chance MEDIC ON BOARD in the Fontainbleu Trophy open allowance feature over 1500 metres.
His other winners were ONE ONE NINE at 5-2 in the second race for maiden three-year-olds and classic aspirant GOOD COMPANY, a 1-2 favourite, in the fourth race over a mile.
In the seventh race for the Fontainbleu Trophy, DaCosta teamed up with last season's record breaking champion jockey Trevor Simpson for a decisive victory with the stretch running MEDIC ON BOARD, who was racing for the first time since his close fifth to MENUDO in the Red Stripe Superstakes on November 9.
Outpaced a bit in the in the six-horse field as ECSTATIC (3-1) led narrowly from RED GENERAL (8-1) on the rails and ZULU PRINCESS (7-2) on the outside, MEDIC ON BOARD made good headway to challenge four wide entering the straight at which stage the even-money favourite SATISFIER had also moved into a challenging position.
In the straight, MEDIC ON BOARD disposed of the front-running ECSTATIC approaching the distance to win by 2 3/4 lengths from SATISFIER staying on widest of all under former champion Charles Hussey.
Owned jointly by DaCosta and Alexander Haber and bred by DaCosta, MEDIC ON BOARD, a 4-y-o chestnut gelding by The Medic out of All Aboard, had to survive an objection from the connections of SATISFIER. This was his first win since landing the $1.5 million WITRA Classic over 2000 metres on October 19 last year.
Simpson, meanwhile, resumed riding following a six-week stay in the United States and duly chalked up two winners from four rides.
In addition to MEDIC ON BOARD, he brought home the evens favourite NUCLEAR POWER for trainer Richie Todd in the first race, signalling his intention from the outset it will be more of the same in 2003.
A fresh looking 'Slicer' Simpson spoke of his plans.
"I did a lot of thinking since I last rode locally in mid-January and I've decided to give it another try," Simpson said.
"The fans love and respect me in Jamaica and I am looking forward to another title," said Simpson who disclosed that he had been cooling out in Florida and Ohio.
"I know I am behind a bit in the standings for now and things will be harder this season. But my association with DaCosta should again reap dividends for both of us and I only need to remain injury free to get the job done," concluded the 33-year-old jockey who has ridden eight winners this season - only four behind co-leaders Clive Lynch and Ameth Robles.
Three-time champion jockey Andrew Ramgeet, winless since he resumed riding locally in the past fortnight, finally notched a winner, GOOD COMPANY, in the Restricted Allowance I (non-winners of three) for native and imported three-year-olds over 1500 metres. The son of Pat N Jac raced prominently as JOHNNY'S KING made most from the highly fancied American colt WARREN B.
He successfully challenged WARREN B early in the straight and beat him by two lengths in a field of seven, covering the distance in the fairly good time of 1:32.4 (23.2, 46.4, 1:12.3) which compares favourably with the time returned by MEDIC ON BOARD, 1:32.3.
On what turned out to be a tough day for form players, GOOD CONDUCT and NUCLEAR POWER emerged the only winning favourites. The upsets were provided by ANTAGONIST at 55-1, JIG YOUNG at 35-1, stable companion RED LADY at 9-1 in the closing Long Shot Trophy over 1300 metres and CIRCLE DE THRONE at 6-1.
As a result, the mushrooming Pick-9 proved elusive for the 12th consecutive race day and the carryover to this week's Ash Wednesday holiday meet stands at a whopping $6.7 million.
On a day when veteran trainer Charles Morrissey posted two long priced winners in JIG YOUNG and RED LADY who made all, three punters with seven of nine collected $108,800.50 each in the Pick-9, while the Super-6 also had no takers.
