- Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer
Oneil Mullings pushes even-money favourite CRIMSON DAWN across the line, getting the better of champion jockey Trevor Simpson charging at the finish with 5-2 shot SIR ABBAS MANGAL, in yesterday's 2000-metre Altamont V. Armond Memorial Cup feature race at Caymanas Park. Both riders had two winners on the 11-race card.
Ainsley Walters, Staff Reporter
IT DIDN'T look like much of a race a furlong out, but leading rider Oneil Mullings had to pull out all the stops aboard favourite CRIMSON MAGIC to stave off a late rally from champion jockey Trevor Simpson and SIR ABBAS MANGAL in yesterday's Altamont V. Armond Memorial Cup feature race at Caymanas Park.
After slipping past PATAS DE FUEGO early in the stretch run, down-in-class even-money favourite CRIMSON MAGIC quickened nicely under Mullings and looked ready to sprint away from rivals with his customary late kick over the marathon 2000 metres.
STEALING HOME
However, Simpson, who was saving his mount down the backstretch while PATAS DE FUEGO and CRIMSON MAGIC went after long-time leader LADY ISIS from the half-mile, loomed large on the outside swinging into the straight, taking dead aim at Mullings stealing home.
A half-furlong out the apprentice spotted Simpson in his rear view mirror and smartly changed his whip from right to left, causing his mount to drift into SIR ABBAS MANGAL's path but was still a length and piece clear of his challenger.
Not deterred, Simpson conjured a tremendous rally inside the final 25 yards with the post fast approaching. However, Everal Francis-trained CRIMSON MAGIC was still full of running under bustling Mullings and held on to score by a diminishing head with the crowd roaring its appreciation as both horses thundered past the post.
AN EXCITING DAY
It was an exciting day of racing from the opening event on the 11-race card. Mullings notched two winners, LYSA PRELUDE and CRIMSON MAGIC, to extend his lead in the jockeys' standings to three over Shane Ellis, who moved to 11 winners with victory aboard SIR KNIGHT in the first race.
Simpson notched another double on his second day in the saddle since returning from a seven-day ban. The two-time defending champion booted home IDITAROD and UNTOUCHABLE in the fifth and seventh races.
Charles Hussey pulled the curtains with a stirring win aboard 2-1 shot MAGIC DRAGON in the nightpan, collaring 1-2 favourite SPEED EXPRESS with Ellis yards from the wire in the 1000-metre straight event.
There were no major upsets and the rich Pick-9 carryover was finally cornered. There were 60 winning tickets each worth $55,641.50.
Racing resumes Wednesday with a nine-race card featuring the Long Shot Trophy for $140,000 claimers.
