Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
UP IN class FLYING TIGER turned in a big performance at Caymanas Park yesterday to win the straight five feature race for the Merry Deal Cup in a driving finish from 6-5 favourite EPICTATUS.
Offering odds of 4-1 with in-form apprentice Kerry-Gayl Robinson riding for owner/trainer Barrington Rambally, FLYING TIGER, who was an unlucky loser over the course when beaten a short head by THE SANDMAN on the previous Wednesday, came back to make every yard of the running on the outside of the field.
He galloped on to the main track with EPICTATUS under former champion Shane Ellis in hot pursuit on the far side, followed by the 8-5 second favourite CRUCIAL POINT with champion jockey Trevor Simpson racing prominently in the middle.
STRONG RIDE
But under a strong ride from the apprentice, FLYING TIGER kept on gamely along the stands' side to hold EPICTATUS at bay by half a length, covering the distance in the smart time of 57.1 behind splits of 23.3, 46.1. This was only three fifths of a second outside the track record held jointly by many-time champion sprinter EROS and RAKKADASH.
Rambally was pleasantly surprised that after losing on a $320,000 claiming tag recently, FLYING TIGER was able to step up in class and beat overnight allowance horses.
"I knew he had a shot from the race was over the straight. Because he is not the soundest of horses, it was touch and go against two strong contenders like EPICTATUS and Crucial Point," Rambally said.
"However, the apprentice followed my instructions, Flying Tiger's legs held out and this I regard as one of my best training feats since I started three years ago," he said. "I should tell you that the horse finished lame and I intend to pin fire him and put him down for a while. I have to keep training him lightly by hacking and trotting him and taking him to the sea for swimming. He cannot withstand the rigours of the exercise track and I can only race him over the straight course because he has a bow tendon and joint problems," he added.
FLYING TIGER is a chestnut gelding by Pat N' Jac out of the Bold Executive mare Charmer For A Day, bred by Orange Valley Estates Limited.
TWO-TIMER FOR ROBINSON
Young Robinson had a second winner on the nine-race programme in 4-5 favourite ABOVE THE LAW in the second race over 1600 metres for maiden three-year-olds. Robinson and Simpson, who also rode two winners, were overshadowed by bang-in-form apprentice Paul 'Country' Francis who rode three winners in 3-5 favourite MANDALAY BAY in the fourth, MOLTEN LAVA at 7-2 in the fifth and even-money favourite PRINCESS GOODHEART in the eighth race for the George Headley Jr. Memorial Cup over 1400 metres.
PRINCESS GOODHEART, one of two winners for veteran trainer Noel Ennevor, raced in close touch before disposing of long-time leader INTROSPECTION (5-2) a furlong out to win by 5 3/4 lengths from 10-1 shot HI-JOE, closing in the 12-horse field.
The $170,000 - $145,000 claiming race for the Violet Armond Memorial Cup over 1600 metres saw Simpson at his brilliant best aboard the 3-2 favourite PLEASANT WOOD. Under a very bustling ride, 'Slicer' conjured up a powerful last furlong run from the six-year-old son of Woodman to catch STORM CLOUD (3-1) on the line, winning by a nose. The winner is owned by Jeff Gray and trained by Patrick Fong.
