Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
REGGAE RULES, with substitute rider Kerry-Gayle Robinson aboard, wins the W. 'Billy' Pick Memorial Cup feature over 2000 metres in fine style at Caymanas Park yesterday. The race was confined to $270,000-$240,000 claimers. - IAN ALLEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
THE EVEN-money favourite REGGAE RULES danced away with the W. 'Billy' Pick Memorial Cup at Caymanas Park yesterday, winning the mile and a quarter feature by two lengths from his front running stable-companion MANISH.
A chance ride from 2kg claimer Kerry-Gaye Robinson, replacing fellow apprentice Patrick Henry Jr., who fell from his mount EAST WIND in the sixth race and was unable to ride for the remainder of the day, REGGAE RULES was held off the early pace in fifth as the rank outsider MANISH (16-1) made most in the six-horse field.
REGGAE RULES went past the chasing duo of NO TEAR and CAT LEGEND from the half mile to go in chase of MANISH and, although going by from the final bend, had to be shaken up by the apprentice approaching the distance to win comfortably in the end from pesky MANISH, under a bustling ride from Leo Miller.
In third place, a farther 3 1/4 lengths away, was GATLIN at 15-1 while last year's winner CRIMSON MAGIC (9-5), who trailed the field for most of the way with Clive Lynch replacing Hubert Bartley, finished a remote fourth.
THIRD WIN
REGGAE RULES is trained by Rowan Mathie for Jockeys' Enterprise, a syndicate comprising ex-jockeys Fitzroy 'Pumpkin' Gillespie and Errol Burke.
A 4-y-o chestnut gelding by Royal Minister out of the Gentleman Jinsky mare Dancer, REGGAE RULES was posting his third win from eight starts this season, having won back-to-back races in February.
Meanwhile, the day's outstanding performance was turned in by the progressive American 3-y-o colt JUST SOME THOUGHTS (1-1) who romped the 3-y-o and up open allowance race over 1100 metres, covering the distance in the smart time of 1:05.1.
One of two winners for top apprentice Paul 'Country' Francis and trainer Glenville 'Foody' Morrissey, JUST SOME THOUGHTS raced prominently from early as TOTAL MOTION led the six-strong field. He disposed of TOTAL MOTION approaching the home turn and when the ever-present favourite CRUCIAL POINT looked likely to pose a threat on the outside from early in the straight, he only had to be pushed out with hands and heels to beat him by 4 3/4 lengths, notching his fifth win.
Francis and Morrissey teamed up for a second winner in 10-1 shot UNWANTED in the ninth race over 1600 metres for $150,000 claimers. The 9-y-o mare, who won her previous race on June 11, ran on strongly from just off the early pace to catch long-time leader and favourite SIR ABBAS MANGAL (Lynch up) in the last furlong, winning by a length.
DISQUALIFIED
On an eventful day of racing, LEGENDARY GLITZ (8-1, Howard Newell up) was disqualified after passing the post first in the sixth race for causing interference to the ever present EAST WIND, resulting in the fall of her rider Patrick Henry Jr. early in the last furlong. The race was awarded to the 4-5 favourite PRIME SUNDOWN who was beaten a short head by LEGENDARY GLITZ in the 1500-metre race.
If that wasn't enough, there was a dead heat for first between the 9-5 favourite MAGIC DRAGON, who made made most under Charles Hussey, and 7-1 chance DRAW CARD (Lynch up) in the closing race over 1300m, the latter getting up on the line to share the spoils.
Non-claiming apprentices Dane Nelson (Sweet Survivor, Quizas Oro) and Oneil Mullings (Ashesmylove, Waters of Merribah) shared the riding honours with Francis on two winners each. ASHESMYLOVE won at 12-1, WATERS OF MERRIAH 10-1.
