Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
JOCKEY ONEIL Mullings highlighted yesterday's Ash Wednesday programme at Caymanas Park with a smashing four-timer to move on to the heels of the top two in the standings.
His winners were CRUCIAL PRINCE at 9-1 for trainer Louis Richards in the opening race over the straight five course (non winners of two), HOOKEDONJAZZ at 10-1 for trainer Robert Darby Sr. in the following race for high claimers over the circular nine course, the 1-2 favourite TIGERINTHEWOODS for in-form trainer Donovan Bruce in the seventh over 1600 metres and stable-companion DOUBLE BOW (1-1 favourite) who romped the closing race over 1100 metres to be unbeaten in three starts.
Mullings narrowly missed a fifth winner when the Gary Subratie-trained SPANISH SECRETS (7-2) was beaten in a driving finish by 13-1 outsider DON LIMPIO in the feature race, the Ash Wednesday Trophy, over 1300 metres contested by nine overnight allowance horses.
WINDFALL
As a result of this windfall, Mullings, who pushed his season's tally to 10, is now joint second with his 2002 Jockeys' School colleague Dane Nelson - one adrift of joint leaders Charles Hussey and Wesley Henry who rode one winner each on the card.
Hussey moved to 11 with an easy come-from-behind win aboard 6-5 favourite HIDALGO for champion trainer Wayne DaCosta in the third race over 1100 metres for maiden three-year-olds.
And 'Callaloo' Henry did likewise aboard 7-5 favourite MYBLUBELLE who outstayed MAMA'S GIRL in the mile and quarter fifth race for $160,000 claimers.
Meanwhile, DON LIMPIO responded to a bustling ride from Clive Lynch to win the Ash Wednesday Trophy race, this sponsored by Super People Janitorial Services for the third consecutive year.
Never far off the pace in fourth, leaving the half mile as the fleet-footed ZICKWARTY (7-1) led from highly fancied MINISTEROFFINANCE and SPANISH SECRETS, DON LIMPIO came through a furlong out with SPANISH SECRETS, who got first run.
However, the Anthony Nunes-trained American 4-y-o gelding DON LIMPIO responded to a torrid left-hand stick from Lynch on the inside rails, gaining the ascendancy over the final 100 metres for a narrow win.
SENOR GATO, the winner's more fancied stable companion who was installed a 2-1 favourite with former champion Trevor Simpson aboard, stayed on for third a farther 2 3/4 lengths away, while long-time leader ZICKWARTY faded into fourth.
MADE ALL
DON LIMPIO is owned by Barbadian Elias Haloute who captured the preceding race for maiden four-year-olds with 3-5 favourite MARINERO, both saddled by 'Baba' Nunes.
MARINERO, who made all under leading all-time jockey Winston Griffiths, is owned jointly by Haloute and Edmund Lam.
As a result of the DON LIMPIO upset, not to mention SEGA and HOOKEDONJAZZ, both at 10-1, the Pick-9 proved elusive once again. The carryover to Saturday stands at $1.1 million.
