By Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer 
Former champion jockey Wesley Henry raises his whip in triumph aboard 6-1 chance HERECOMESFUDGIE at the end of yesterday's Lotto Classic at Caymanas Park. - Michael Sloley/Freelance Photographer
THE LIGHTLY weighted HERECOMESFUDGIE romped the $1.5 million Lotto Classic for the Governor's Cup over 2000 metres at Caymanas Park yesterday, returning odds of 6-1.
Ridden by title chasing jockey Wesley "Callaloo" Henry for owner/breeder Joseph "Fudgie" Duany and 13-time champion trainer Phillip Feanny, HERECOMESFUDGIE, toting a postage stamp impost of 48.5 kg in a field of 13 native bred three-year-olds, rallied strongly in mid-stretch to win by 2 1/2 lengths from highly fancied PITTACUS.
The betting made the Track Price Plus 2000 Guineas third BANJUHAR an even-money favourite, PITTACUS at 2-1, followed by HERECOMESFUDGIE and the Oaks runner-up ONE ONE NINE jointly at 6-1. However, BANJUHAR failed to justify the confidence, as he raced among the backmarkers for most of the way and only passed tired horses in the last furlong to place fifth.
HERECOMESFUDGIE, meanwhile, led narrowly from BANJUHAR's stable-companion ZAHBO, THEIA and PITTACUS passing the stands for the first time before giving way to ZAHBO as they turned into the backstretch.
ZAHBO, ridden by apprentice Oneil Mullings, proceeded to lead on the bridle from HERECOMESFUDGIE and PITTACUS approaching the half mile but the free-running son of Royal Minister gave way to PITTACUS approaching the three, at which stage HERECOMESFUDGIE was three lengths adrift on the rails.
PITTACUS, under Trinidadian jockey Brian Harding, turned for home two lengths clear of HERCOMESFUDGIE coming back. Although looking the likely winner for a stride or two approaching the distance, PITTACUS was to prove no match for HERECOMESFUDGIE, who ran through on the outside leaving the furlong pole to leave the issue beyond doubt.
PITTACUS finished 5 3/4 lengths clear of THEIA (14) under four-time champion jockey Charley Hussey in third, while JERICHO (74-1), the mount of top apprentice Paul Francis, was fourth.
An elated Wesley Henry said "my horse was simply too light and the fact that he stays a distance of ground made all the difference". Feanny, on the other hand, said Henry rode a perfect race aboard the bay gelding by Law Of The Sea Hya, and he was happy with the outcome.
"Herecomesfudgie had trained well and although unproven over a distance of ground, I was convinced he would stay ten furlongs. I told Henry to keep him close to the early pace and relax him. But in the end he was just too light", explained Feanny.
HERECOMESFUDGIE will now be prepared for the June 14 Red Stripe Jamaica Derby where he will come face to face with his fleet-footed stable-companion A KING IS BORN, a post to post winner of the April 5 Track Price 2000 Guineas over a mile, but was a notable absentee from the Lotto Classic field.
Meanwhile, AWESOME POWER, with Henry aboard, turned in an awesome front running display to win the day's secondary feature, the $750,000 Lotto Sprint over 1100 metres for top class horses.
Among her victims was the reigning 'Horse of the Year', the Feanny-trained I'MSATISFIED, who could only manage fourth on this his seasonal debut, despite being installed a 3-5 favourite under customary topweight of 59.0kg and leading all-time jockey Winston Griffiths aboard.
AWESOME POWER, however, was never going to be beaten with a mere 52.0kg and duly won by eight lengths in the smart time of 1:05.1 behind splits of 22.2 and 45.3. Winner of the 2001 Derby, Oaks and 1000 Guineas, the five-year-old mare by The Medic out of Angel Of Love is owned by Mercedes Gold and trained by Patrick Chang. She is unbeaten in three starts this season.
Later in the afternoon, the 1-2 favourite JACK DE PRINCE, ridden by former champion Joe Buchanan, ran on strongly to win the War Zone Sprint for champion trainer Wayne DaCosta, while the 10-race programme produced a dead-heat for first between the highly fancied pair of CONQUISTADORES (3-1) and DIANA'S HOPE (7-2) in the eighth race over the straight five course.
Meanwhile, an extra-ordinary meeting of the Racehorse Owners' Association takes place this morning at the Hotel Four Season, Ruthven Road, starting at 10:00.
