Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
ON A day of upsets, THE MINISTER sprung a 29-1 shocker to win the day's Ambassador's Trophy feature (open allowance) in fine style, leaving in his wake his talented stable-companion PITTACUS and last year's winner SATISFIER.
Ridden by in-form lightweight jockey Peter Bryan, who notched three winners on the card, THE MINISTER came from last to first in a six-strong field, storming through approaching the distance to win by the resounding margin of 7 1/4 lengths, this after going winless in five previous races this season.
The betting made last year's Superstakes winner PITTACUS a 2-5 favourite under leading jockey Shane Ellis, despite racing for the first time since his close second to HERECOMESFUDGIE in the UBA Gold Cup last December.
In the end, PITTACUS could only manage third, beaten 10 1/4 lengths as his little fancied stable-companion THE MINISTER, who was perceived to be making up numbers, ran above himself to score a notable upset.
It was PITTACUS and the highly fancied hat-trick seeker RIVER JORDON (2-1) under champion jockey Trevor Simpson who disputed the lead after sorting themselves out, just ahead of 7-1 chance JOHNNY'S KING who, using his light impost to full advantage, surged past PITTACUS leaving the 600-metre point.
JOHNNY'S KING turned for home some two lengths clear, but it soon became obvious that PITTACUS was struggling down on the rails and it was left to THE MINISTER, closing from nowhere, to carry the fight to JOHNNY'S KING.
EMPHATIC VICTORY
He disposed of the leader approaching the distance and streaked away in a flash for an emphatic victory.
THE MINISTER, who toted a mere 48 kg, raced in the now familiar silks of Barbadian owner Eilas Haloute, who also owns PITTACUS. Bred by the Orange Hall Stables Limited, he is a four-year-old chestnut colt by champion sire Royal Minister out of the imported mare Virginia Belle.
Bryan, who is popularly called 'Pam Pam', capped a fine day in the saddle by virtue of three winners on the 11-race programme.
The others were 10-1 upsetter SHADE OF JADE for trainer Richie Todd in the sixth race over the round five course for $140,000 claimers and 7-5 favourite PROCEEDACCORDINGLY for trainer Arnold Rambally, Jr. in the fourth over 1500 metres.
As a result of this windfall, Bryan has pushed his season's tally to 14, moving up to fifth position in the standings. Aboard SHADE OF JADE, Bryan was not the best away in the 15-horse field as the 3-1 favourite CHUCKY and highly fancied DUE RESPECT (4-1) vied for the lead.
However, she made a ground-saving run into the straight and came forward nicely along the rails to overhaul CHUCKY in the last furlong, winning by two lengths.
Jockey Charles Hussey had two winners in PALO SECO and the lightly raced classic aspirant LOCHNESS DRAGON, both for his brother Percy. But Ellis and Simpson surprisingly came up empty-handed on a day when THE MINISTER, TOO HOT TO TROT at 22-1 in the fifth, WARREN B and HADDO, both at 11-1 and, of course, SHADE OF JADE provided the upsets.
Racing continues at Caymanas Park next Saturday with the 65th running of the Courts Jamaica Oaks over 2000m for native bred three-year-old fillies.
