By Orville Clarke, Freelance WriterCOURT CASE made amends for his near miss in the November 13 Red Stripe Caribbean Sprint with a decisive victory in yesterday's open allowance feature for the Pringle Cup over 1100 metres at Caymanas Park.
Installed a 7-5 favourite with Panamanian jockey Ameth Robles astride, COURT CASE, who failed by only a head to stave JACK DE PRINCE in the recent Caribbean Sprint, came through early in the straight to win by 1 1/2 lengths from the recent course winner KING AL (5-1), who was a close fourth in the Carib Sprint.
KING AL, with Richie Mitchell up, outduelled the 9-5 second favourite ROYAL MALICE by a neck for second, while RAKKADASH at 5-2 was fourth in the seven-strong field.
COURT CASE bided his time in third as top weight RAKKADASH under leading all-time jockey Winston Griffiths and ROYAL MALICE with champion jockey Trevor Simpson aboard had a battle royal for the lead throughout the backstretch, with KING AL outpaced in fifth.
ROYAL MALICE on the inside and RAKKADASH on the outside turned for home heads on in front, but by then COURT CASE had cruised down three wide entering the straight. He disposed of the leaders approaching the distance and when KING AL loomed menacingly on the inside a furlong out, lengthened his strides to win much easier than the official margin indicated.
Robles said he was always confident of victory and his only concern was luck in running.
"I was not aboard him when he was narrowly beaten in the Red Stripe Sprint, but I have a good history with this horse and knew that after that run he was right back to his best," said Robles in his distinctive Latin American accent.
"I enjoy winning trophy races and am quite happy to win this one for the owner and Mr. Mattis," added Robles who could possibly have the ride once again when COURT CASE lines up for next Saturday's $1.25 million feature, the UBA Gold Cup over 1400 metres.
A 5-y-o chestnut horse by Al's River Cat out of World Of Light, COURT CASE notched his fifth win from 13 starts this season and stakes of just more than $2 million. He is owned by Ivor Patrick and trained by eight-time champion Kenneth Mattis.
SLAMMED OPPONENTS
Earlier in the afternoon, the impressive 2-y-o colt KAMIR slammed his four opponents in winning the Jamaica Turf Club 2-Y-O Stakes for the Jean B. Armond Memorial Trophy over 1400 metres on a common canter.
Installed a 1-9 favourite with former champion Shane Ellis riding for owner/trainer Richard Azan, KAMIR made all. He turned for home about four lengths clear of stable-companion CHARRITO and NATURAL DESIRE and was never off the bridle in scoring by 4 3/4 lengths from Simpson's mount, NATURAL DESIRE.
By Prime Rate Powers out of the French Champagne mare Kamella, KAMIR has now won four races from five starts, losing only to his brilliant stable-companion COLTRANE in the valuable Red Stripe 2-Y-O Breeders Stakes also over 1400 metres.
Ellis had another armchair ride aboard 2-5 favourite CRUISING ALTITUDE in the restricted allowance II for the Joseph Armond Memorial Cup for native bred three-year-olds (non-winners of two) over the circular nine course.
Owned by Elias Haloute and trained by Anthony Nunes, the three-year-old colt by Pat N' Jac out of For My Jet made all to win by the resounding margin of 17 1/4 lengths fron 2-1 second favourite TOBAGO in a field of six.
Ellis was top rider with two winners on a day when KAMIR, COURT CASE, CRUISING ALTITUDE and WARREN B emerged winning favourites. Mild upsets were provided by NAVIGATOR and KOOLGREENMONEY, both at 6-1, and BUSHY PARK RAJA at 5-1.
