Apprentice Carlton Malcolm salutes the fans after winning the Valbert Memorial Cup aboard ABENG at Caymanas Park yesterday. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

LIGHTWEIGHT APPRENTICE Carlton Malcolm highlighted yesterday's mid-week programme at Caymanas Park with three winners, including 12-1 chance ABENG in the day's feature for the Valbert Marlowe Memorial Cup over 1800 metres.

The 27-year-old claiming rider also won aboard 7-2 chance HEART OF STEEL for trainer Patrick Fong in the fourth race over 1820 metres for maiden three-year-olds and GEISHA'S ART at 6-1 in the fifth race over 1600 metres for native bred three-year-olds, non-winners of two.

ABENG and GEISHA'S ART were saddled by back-to-form trainer Gary Subratie for different owners.

Malcolm, who emerged joint champion apprentice with Javour Simpson last year, produced HEART OF STEEL from off the pace (inside) leaving the furlong pole to win the circular nine race in a driving finish from 37-1 outsider MAGNIFICENTWARRIOR.

In a rather eventful race, MAGNIFICENTWARRIOR, after chasing long-time leader CHAMPAGNE PRINCE for most of the way to lead approaching the final bend, drifted out badly in the straight and HEART OF STEEL capitalised on this to win by a neck.

No part

Highly fancied SHE'S ROAMIN decked her rider on leaving the starting gate, while 10-1 chance ALFALLO dwelt at the start and took no part. And if that wasn't enough, the 4-5 favourite HELTA SKELTA finished a distant sixth after racing prominently for the first half of the race.

ABENG, meanwhile, raced just off the pace as 6-5 favourite OLE KING COLE led under pressure from highly fancied AITCHEMESBEAGLE and LADY SEETADEO before shooting into the lead leaving the half mile. The four-year-old gelding by Pat N Jac out of the 1997 Oaks winner P.W's Choice turned for home two lengths clear of the hard ridden OLE KING COLE, then moved away to win by 6 1/2 lengths from POORLITTLERICHBOY (7-2) and SPECIAL CAT (15-1) in a field of nine. The winner is owned by Arthur Foreman and bred John C. Wright and his son Paul C. Wright.

Season tally

Malcolm, who is apprenticed to Trainers' Association president Vin Edwards, pushed his season's tally to 24. This puts him fifth in the standings, five behind Paul Francis (29 wins) who rode two winners in 3-5 favourite CAPTAIN BONE and MUSIC MASTER (2-1) in the third and ninth races respectively. Apprentice Javour Simpson rode two winners on his return from a five-day suspension to be second on 28 winners.

CAPTAIN BONE reported a different horse under the care of trainer Neive Graham to win th McKenzie Memorial Cup secondary feature (claiming $260,000-$230,000) over 160 metres by the proverbial city block after going through at the half mile in the seven-strong field.

Owned by Lenford Edie, the American six-year-old horse attracted several claims, going back to his old trainer Wayne DaCosta for $260,000 in a six-way shake.