By Orville Clake, Freelance Writer 
PROVIDENCE (No. 9), the 1,485th career win for leading all-time jockey Winston Griffiths, sweeps past long-time leader SHARAPOVA under champion jockey Trevor Simpson to win the Sunnyside Stakes over 1100 metres for native bred maiden 2-y-o fillies at Caymanas Park yesterday. Trained by Philip Feanny, PROVIDENCE, a 3-5 favourite, made a winning debut. - Ricardo Makyn
THE ATTRACTIVE filly PROVIDENCE made a winning debut in the Sunnyside Stakes for native bred maiden two-year-old fillies at Caymanas Park yesterday but was forced to do so the hard way after missing the break.
Installed a 3-5 favourite in the 1100 metre race, PROVIDENCE with leading all-time jockey Winston Griffiths riding for many-time champion trainer Philip Feanny, won by 1 1/4 lengths from he 6-5 second favourite SHARAPOVA under champion jockey Trevor Simpson, while the highly fancied debutante PANTHEA (5-2), with Shane Ellis astride, finished a close third. LADY SHARON and EXCLUSIVELY (bolted) were declared late non-starters, reducing the field to 11.
With PROVIDENCE missing the break and outpaced early as a result, the grey SHARAPOVA seized the opportunity to make most of the running. She turned for home with a commanding lead over PANTHEA and PROVIDENCE but although looking the likely winner early in the straight, began to shorten in the last furlong.
HARD DRIVEN
Although hard driven by Simpson, SHARAPOVA was unable to hold the fast finishing PROVIDENCE at bay. With Griffiths applying a vigorous left-hand stick, PROVIDENCE caught up with the leader in the last 100 metres and won inching away.
Owned and bred by Paul Chen, PROVIDENCE is a well conformed chestnut filly by Law Of The Sea out of the Beau Genius mare She Knows Beau and along with stable-companion DISTINCTLY IRISH, who made a smashing debut over a similar distance on November 1, has strengthened the hand of Feanny for the remaining two-year-old races of the season.
Griffiths, who is moving closer to the 1,500 winner mark, failed in his bid to achieve a Cup double when 3-5 favourite BROTHER DANIEL, who attempted to make all, was caught early in the straight and beaten 7 1/4 lengths by 5-2 second favourite STILL A KING in the Restricted Allowance IV for the Glen T. Williamson Cup over 2,000 metres.
Ridden by the apprentice Andron Findley, STILL A KING came down sharply on BROTHER DANIEL when taking over the lead approaching the distance, forcing Griffiths aboard BROTHER DANIEL to check his mount. A Stewards' inquiry followed but the result was allowed to stand as they passed the post.
A five-year-old chestnut gelding by Reputed Testimony out of Chain of Flowers, STILL A KING, who covered the distance in the smart time of 2:07.3, is owned by Frederick Watson and trained by Harry Jaghai.
SOLOMON ZIADIE MEMORIAL CUP
The third trophy race on the 10-race programme, this for the Solomon Ziadie Memorial Cup over 1,500 metres (claiming $320,000-$270,000), resulted in a decisive victory for the 4-1 shot FRIENDLY EXPRESS (Philip Clunis up) who came through early in the straight to win by two lengths from 5-2 chance ZEEDON in a field of nine.
Significantly, FRIENDLY EXPRESS and ZEEDON finished first in a dead heat over 1,700 metres on October 29 .
A 6-y-o bay gelding by Restless Thief out of the Joe Slew mare Printing Press, FRIENDLY EXPRESS is owned by OPM Racing Stables and trained by Richie Todd. Third went to the Todd-trained HARLEY BARLEY (3-1) and fourth to the 2-1 favourite GILNOCK who hurt his chances by missing the break and was tailed off for the first couple of furlongs.
The day's lone upset was provided by the grey filly MOTHER OF PEARL (20-1) who held on by a neck from the fast-finishing SUPERHEAT (5-2) in the eighth race over the straight five course. She was ridden by sparingly used Eric Laidlaw for owner/trainer Stanley Findlay.
