Nelson
Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
FOR THE second straight year, FORMALLY GOLD won the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission Trophy race over 1400 metres in a driving finish at Caymans Park.
Brilliantly ridden by non-claiming apprentice Dane Nelson, FORMALLY GOLD outbattled 9-1 outsider THE MINISTER under champion apprentice Paul Francis in a stirring last furlong duel to win the valuable open allowance race by a head, gaining the ascendancy in the final strides.
Not only did history repeat itself in so far as FORMALLY GOLD was concerned, but she won at the same odds as last year, 2-1. What's more she was piloted by the nephew of last year's winning rider, Robert Reid.
She was ridden to dispute the lead with the rank outsider EPICTATUS (14-1) throughout the backstretch in the six-strong field. After sorting themselves out, both were closely followed by the 7-5 second favourite, JUST SOME THOUGHTS, Oaks winner ALL FOR PLEASURE, THE MINISTER and his more fancied stable-companion PITTACUS, who went off an even money favourite in a bid for the hat-trick.
EPICTATUS, who was obviously running the pace for stable companions THE MINISTER and PITTANCES, gave way to FORMALLY GOLD as they swung into the straight. By then, however, THE MINISTER was already looming for a challenge along with JUST SOME THOUGHTS cooking on the inside.
THE MINISTER left the furlong pole just marginally ahead and although responding to some torrid whipping in an effort to stave off pesky FORMALLY GOLD was just beaten by the game filly on the outside. SEATTLE'S GIRL (lame) was declared a late non-starter, reducing the field to six.
There was a Stewards' inquiry into the running of the race and in the end, JUST SOME THOUGHTS who was third past the post was subsequently disqualified for causing multiple interference at the half mile. PITTACUS, who was did not get the clearest of runs during the first half of the race, was promoted to third.
An American bred 4-y-o bay filly Formal Gold out of Hazy Prospect, FORMALLY GOLD is conditioned by four-time champion trainer Wayne DaCosta for Alexander Haber who was not present to see his charge notch her fourth win from 11 starts this season and her eighth from 23 career starts.
Haber is off the island and it was left to his mother, Sonia Abul to receive the trophy on his behalf.
On a day when apprentice riders Nelson (Formally Gold, Palsy Walsy) and Andron Findley (Mother Of Pearl, One Special Lady) shared the riding honours with Richie Mitchell (Council Man, Peckus Out), the 11-race programme produced a notable upset in 14-1 chance UNTOUCHABLE (made most) in the supporting feature for the Joseph Ashenheim Memorial Bowl overnight allowance race over 2000 metres.
COUNCIL MAN also upsets rivals at 10-1 in the green silks of owner/trainer Lee Clarke, who doubles as the Deputy Mayor of Kingston. The Charles Randle Trophy race (four-year-olds and up-non winners of two) over the circular nine course was won in fine style by the 3-5 favourite MICHAEL POWER, ridden by apprentice Kemar Lynch for owner/trainer Michael Beecham.
