By Orville Clarke, Freelance WriterTHE COURSE specialists, NORAN BATMAN and CALL TO ARMS, won the respective sections of the $140,000 claiming race for the Drumbeat Trophy over the straight five course, in driving finishes, at Caymanas Park yesterday.
In Division I, NORAN BATMAN, a 4-5 favourite with Paul Ramsay aboard, won by half a length from the fast-finishing 19-1 shot ROBOCOP on the far rails, heads on with the 40-1 outsider NOWITSKI on the wide outside in third with ZEALOT (9-1) finishing a close fourth in the 10-strong field.
NORAN BATMAN was always prominent on the far side for the first half of the race, as ZEALOT and KAYDENE disputed the lead in mid-track with highly fancied MEDIATOR not far off. As they galloped towards the furlong pole, however, NORAN BATMAN quickened into the lead and held on well to stave off ROBOCOP and NOWITSKI.
The winner, a 7-y-o bay gelding by Restless Thief out of Chris Appeal, is owned by Neville Johnston and trained by Gary Subratie. This was Noran Batman's third win from nine starts this season, all over the straight.
In Division II, the 3-1 shot CALL TO ARMS (outpaced a bit) produced a smooth run under a hand ride from jockey Chris Fearon to catch the battling leaders SOPHISTICATED LADY (9-2) and SOUTHERN DANCER, the even-money favourite, close home. The winning distances were a neck by half a length.
Owned and trained by Glenville Morrissey, CALL TO ARMS was notching his second consecutive over his pet trip and his fourth from nine starts this season. He is an eight-year-old bay gelding by Wise Emissary out of Just About Dawn.
DEVASTATING STRETCH RUN
Meanwhile, SAINT COLUMBA (6-1) produced a devastating stretch run to win the $390,000 - $320,000 claiming race over 1100 metres by 2 1/4 lengths from highly fancied DR. R.S.F. and ISSEY MIYAKE (5-1) heads on for second in the field of 11.
The 4-y-o chestnut gelding was ridden by apprentice Andrew Nunes for owner/trainer Richard Azan.
Badly outpaced as PREFECT (9-1) under former champion Charles Hussey led at a fast clip from ISSEY MIKAYE (5-1) and the 6-5 favourite GOINGTOKANSASCITY, SAINT COLUMBA seemingly had it all to do when turning for home in ninth position. However, he chopped through the pack at a terrific pace approaching the distance to hit the front in the last 100 metres, running out a convincing winner.
Azan had a second winner on the card when SIR DONALD (9-5) ran on well with jockey Larris Allen to humble the hot favourite BLACK THATCH in the opening race over the circular nine course. Allen, who is popularly called "Amigo", also coined a double comprising SIR DONALD and highly fancied MISS HIMO in the second race over the straight five course.
