Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
FIASCO, RUNNING at odds of 3-1 with jockey Larris 'Migo' Allen aboard, responded to a bustling ride to overhaul long-time leader LADY KAMPOOR in the closing stages of yesterday's circular nine feature for the Dr. David 'Jack' Radix Memorial Cup (claiming $140,000) at Caymanas Park.
FIASCO won by 2 1/4 from the 5-2 marginal favourite LADY KAMPOOR, under in-form claiming apprentice Andron Findley, with 24-1 outsider LADY PHAEDRA running on late to snatch third from 5-2 second favourite JACK DE FREAK in deep stretch.
FIASCO was held off the early pace for the first half of the race as OBEAHMAN (11-1) led from the grey ZEEDON (9-1), followed by DANCING JINSKY (36-1) and LADY KAMPOOR not far behind.
LADY KAMPOOR improved sweetly on the rails to assume the lead from OBEAHMAN at the half mile and galloped towards the final bend some two lengths clear of DANCING JINSKY and FIASCO improving sharply on the inside into third.
FURLONG CHALLENGE
As they swung into the straight, LADY KAMPOOR kept on dourly in front but in the end, she failed to repeal the persistent last furlong challenge of the strongly-ridden FIASCO who gained the ascendancy midway through the last furlong for a decisive win.
The 7-y-o chestnut gelding by Maverick out of the Wise Emmisary mare Brenda's Song is owned jointly by Carolyn and Victor Tennent and trained by Richie Todd.
Significantly, FIASCO won this race for the second consecutive year, having scored as the favourite 12 months ago when trained by Charles Morrissey.
Earlier in the afternoon, 2-5 favourite EAGLE COMMANDER romped home in the round five Cesario Cup, blowing past long-time leader RASTAMANIA early in the straight to beat him by 4 1/2 lengths in a field of seven maiden three-year-old colts and geldings.
The winner, a bay gelding by Al's River Cat out of Oaks winner Scatterbrain, was ridden by two-time champion jockey Joe Buchanan for owner Robert Lee and trainer Wayne DaCosta. Bred by Orange Valley Estates Limited, EAGLE COMMANDER was opening his account on this his second outing.
Meanwhile, former champion jockey Hubert 'Chinna' Bartley, who resumed riding on Easter Monday following an absence of 2 1/2 years during which he battled weight problems, brought the house down when he notched his first win aboard 8-1 shot NEUTRALIZER in the fourth race over 1500 metres.
FAVOURITE
With the howling favourite WICKY WACKY under leading all-time jockey Winston Griffiths attempting to make all, Bartley sent NEUTRALIZER in chase leaving the half mile and turned for home a close second on the outside.
WICKY WACKY, however, was in no mood to surrender the advantage but Bartley, riding typically flat and wailing away with the left hand stick in the process, had to work overtime in order to win by three-quarter length, much to the delight of turfites.
Trained by Dwight Chen, NEUTRALIZER was Bartley's 742nd career win. He started riding in 1980.
With leading jockey Trevor Simpson sitting out the first day of a three-day suspension, Paul 'Country' Francis (Princess Cat, Waters Of Merribah) and fellow apprentice Kemar Lynch (Hookedonjazz, Tyrone Son) shared the riding honours with two winners each.
DaCosta saddled two in EAGLE COMMANDER and 1-9 favourite CLOCK WORK who scrambled home from his lesser fancied stable-companion CRUCIAL POINT in the first race over 1300 metres. Ridden by Charles Hussey for co-owners DaCosta and Winston Kong, the American 3-y-o colt has now won four consecutive races.
