Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Smoothability, one of two winners for jockey Robert Reid and trainer Anthony Ferguson, wins yesterday's feature race for the GA Sarge Bucknor Memorial Trophy over the straight at Caymanas Park. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

SMOOTHABILITY, RUNNING at odds of 7-2 under veteran lightweight jockey Robert Reid, shot clear of her rivals in the closing stages to win the G.A. 'Sarge' Bucknor Memorial Trophy over the straight five course ahead of last year's winner, OUTSTANDING.

Racing for the first time since June and lightly trained for the race, SMOOTHABILITY, an American-bred three-year-old filly, stamped her class on the proceedings to win by 1 1/2 lengths from 2-1 co-favourites OUT-STANDING and WHEEL 'N' DEAL, heads on for second and third places, respectively, in a field of 10 overnight allowance horses.

Despite an eight-month absence, OUTSTANDING attracted lots of support and ran a brave race, leading narrowly in mid-track ahead of WHEEL 'N' DEAL, SISTER CAT and CHARMING LUTHER on the stands' side, with SMOOTHABILITY outpaced a bit on the far side.

As they flashed inside the last furlong, however, SMOOTH-ABILITY got into top gear, storming through on the far side midway through the last furlong for a decisive win, covering the distance in the smart time of 57.2.

Completed double

SMOOTHABILITY is owned and trained by Anthony Ferguson who posted a quick double when 5-2 favourite DOUBLE BOW made all convincingly in the closing straight five race, completing a double for jockey 'Callie' Reid as well.

Ferguson said he was always confident of winning as the filly was actually down in class for this race.

In the absence of champion and leading jockey Omar Walker, who is sitting out a two-day suspension, riding honours were shared by Reid, five-time champion Trevor Simpson (Evander, Alfallo) and the improving 4kg claiming apprentice Everton Bennett, who won aboard 10-1 chance LITTLERICHBOY and 2-1 favourite MR BUTCHER in the seventh and eighth races.

On a day when the minimum stake moved from $20 to $40, Ferguson and Tony Kirlew saddled two winners each, Kirlew posting the 3-4 favourite ORION to win the fourth and 12-1 shot ME LLAMO who scored an impressive post-to-post win under lightweight jockey Peter Bryan in the third race over 2000 metres.

The minimum stake affected win, place, double, quinella, exacta and rolling triple wagering. As a result, sales (turnover) nosedived from $28.7 million on nine races last Saturday to $25 million on 10 races yesterday.