Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
Elated jockey Valentino McBean looks to the heavens and says 'thank you' after booting home 17-1 outsider HAPHAZARD for trainer Anthony Smith in yesterday's circular nine feature for the Eric Dias Memorial Cup at Caymanas Park. McBean rode two winners on the mid-week card. - CARLINGTON WILMOT/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
HAPHAZARD, RUNNING at the surprisingly good odds of 17-1, won the circular nine feature for the Eric Dias Memorial Cup which had its 35th running at Caymanas Park yesterday.
One of two winners for jockey Valentino McBean who has seldom been among the winners this season, HAPHAZARD - always prominent - successfully challenged long-time leader OUTSWINGER leaving the half mile, holding on well in the closing stages to thwart a late run from the 3-1 second favourite ASYNJUR in a field of 12 horses from the $270,000-$240,000 claiming spread.
FAILED HAT-TRICK
Finishing close up in third was FROMRUSSIAWITHLOVE (3-1) who, though having every chance from early in the straight, failed in his bid for the hat-trick, upstaged by the horse he beat by a length over 1500 metres on August 6.
The big disappointment was the performance of the 7-5 favourite DANCING FLAMES with champion jockey Trevor Simpson aboard. The seven-year-old mare, who has shown a particular liking for the distance, raced in close touch passing the half mile but soon came under pressure and her fate was obvious approaching the final bend. She faded dramatically into last place.
Also faring badly was EL BEAU (5-1) who was slowly into stride under title-chasing jockey Brian Harding and was never able to recover.
HAPHAZARD, who won easily over 2000 metres as recently as August 1 and was subsequently claimed by trainer Anthony Smith on behalf of Robin Ashton, is a six-year-old bay gelding by Domino Jack out of Virginia Belle. He has now won nine races from 59 starts lifetime.
McBean had a second winner on the 11-race programme in 5-2 chance KOOLGREENMONEY for trainer Robert Darby Sr. who also had two winners.
KOOLGREENMONEY shot into the lead leaving the half mile and proceeded to win on a canter, clear of highly-fancied CROP OVER who was also finished clear of the third horse, DANCING JINSKY.
SIMPSON EXTENDS LEAD
Darby's other winner was SAID I SAID I (6-1), who repeated in the closing $150,000 claiming race with Harding again in the saddle.
Not to be outdone, 'Slicer' Simpson extended his lead over Harding in the standings with two winners in the Philip Feanny-trained FIRE WORKS who again impressed in winning the fifth race for two-year-olds, ahead of the Charles Hussey-ridden favourite TASSY'S WHIP, and came back to win on the even-money favourite MEET ME AT THE WIRE in the eighth race for maiden three-year-olds as well.
Simpson thus pushed his season's tally to 54 - eight ahead of Harding.
Former champion jockey Wesley Henry rode back-to-back winners in odds-on favourite TIME OF MY LIFE and TROPICAL STORM at 5-1, but complained of an ailing shoulder and did not ride after the sixth race.
Champion trainer Feanny posted two winners in the unbeaten FIRE WORKS and odds-on favourite DIESEL who romped the straight five race (made all) for non-winners of three in the smart time of 57.1 with Winston Griffiths up. Both FIRE WORKS and DIESEL are owned by Knock Out.
