By Orville Clarke, Freelance WriterA FAIR-SIZED crowd headed by Finance Minister Dr. Omar Davies saw the progressive American colt FORGOTTEN HERO win the inaugural running of the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission Trophy (open allowance) race over 1400 metres in fine style at Caymanas Park yesterday.
It was the second victory in a week for lightly-raced FORGOTTEN HERO who on the previous Saturday scored a decisive victory in the RJR Classic (overnight allowance) over 1500 metres.
Installed a 1-5 favourite with champion jockey Trevor Simpson riding for champion trainer Wayne DaCosta, FORGOTTEN HERO was ridden to chase his lesser fancied stable-companion GOINGTOKANSASCITY (10-1) as they sorted themselves out in the field of six, before going through approaching the home turn.
Although it required a couple of reminders from Simpson approaching the distance as his well backed stable-companion BLACK THATCH (2-1) loomed on the inside, FORGOTTEN HERO was not to be caught as he kept on strongly on the outside to win by 3 1/4 lengths from BLACK THATCH, covering the distance in the smart time of 1:25.0.
SIR DONALD (5-1), who passed the post third, was disqualified and placed last for causing interference to IDITAROD and SIR MOHANDAS BABA approaching the half mile. Third was awarded to SIR MOHANDAS BABA.
A 4-y-o colt by Struggler out of Dance Close, FORGOTTEN HERO, who won two races in Florida before being imported into the island, is co-owned by DaCosta and Winston Kong. He has now won three races in succession from only four starts locally and seems heading for the top class.
Earlier, DR. R.S.F, running at odds of 5-2 with apprentice Dane Nelson aboard, sprinted clear of rivals in mid-stretch to win the $390,000 - $330,000 claiming race for the Emancipation Day Trophy over 1300 metres, this by 4 1/4 lengths from the 3-5 favourite TOCUMEN.
RED BOOTLACES (5-1), who led into the straight before giving way to DR. R.S.F. was relegated to third by TOCUMEN close to home in the seven-strong field. The winner, an American bred 7-y-o horse, is owned by Starwars and trained by Barrington Rambally.
The third trophy race on the card, the inaugural running of the Charles Randle Trophy for four-year-olds and up (non winners of two) over 1820 metres resulted in a runaway victory for the 8-5 favourite VALIANT NATURE with Simpson astride.
Never far off the pace, VALIANT NATURE successfully challenged CYCLOPS entering the straight and tore away from his seven opponents to win by 8 3/4 lengths from 5-2 chance CONSCIOUS APPROACH.
TODAY'S RACING
Simpson widened his lead in the jockeys' standings with three winners in favourites VALIANT NATURE, FORGOTTEN HERO and PRINCE NATHA-NIEL at 6-5 in the opening race for maidens. He thus moved to 65 - 29 clear of closest rival Wesley Henry. Former champion Shane Ellis, fresh from a stint in Canada, rode two winners in the Anthony Nunes-trained THE MINISTER and front running MR. LONGINO for trainer Richie Todd, as did apprentice Dane Nelson with DR. R.S.F. and LADY SABITA.
Today's 11-race programme features the Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders Association Trophy to be contested by the maximum 16 starters (all three-year-olds) over 1400 metres.
My idea of the winner is BANJUHAR on the strength of his fast-finishing third to THEIA over 1300 metres in the Cable & Wireless Stakes on July 5. He should win from JERICHO, ONE ONE NINE and SHE'S A RANKING. I also like unbeaten 2-y-o CRUCIAL POINT in the Keeling Memorial Cup, DIXIE FLYER (fifth race), ANDREA'S CHOICE (sixth), CRUCIAL TIMES (eighth) and KING AL (tenth).
