KINGSTON, Jamaica - This year’s St Leger hero Nipster created a mild upset when winning the $2 million top-rated Open Allowance/Graded Stakes event over seven-and-a-half furlongs (1,500m) at odds of 8-1 following the disqualification of first by the post Sir Alton at Caymanas Park today.
Trained by Gary Subratie and ridden by champion jockey Christopher Mamdeen, Nipster made his run late when rounding horses navigating the half-mile (800m) as he came off the final turn going wide.
Nipster was then switched to the inside rails for his telling effort but was squeezed for space by Sir Alton (Anthony Thomas) inside the final half a furlong and had to settle for second place, 2 ¼ lengths away.
After a stewards’ inquiry and a jockey’s objection lodged by Mamdeen, the colours of Sir Alton were taken down and the three-year-old and upwards event was awarded to Nipster. Father Patrick (Natalie Berger) finished in third place. The final time recorded for the event was 1:30.1, shades outside of the track record of 1:29.2 set by Sky Train in 1983.
Nipster is a three-year-old bay colt bred by Casual Trick out of the Legal Process mare Nippit. He is bred and owned by Michael Bernard.
Toona Ciliata – the hot odds on 4-5 favourite was a no show in the contest.
Nipster was a winner at his first try in Open Allowance and now has a racing record of 16 starts with six victories. His earnings have now soared close to $8 million.
Meanwhile, many-times champion trainer Wayne DaCosta won two of the three trophy races listed on the 10-race programme.
DaCosta saddled Rusty (Anthony Thomas) in the Andrew H B Aguilar Memorial over one mile (1,600m) and Loose Ball, ridden by veteran Devon A Thomas, in the O&S Tack Room over six-and-a-half furlongs (1,300m).
Anthony Thomas had earlier won aboard Isinbayeva in the sixth race for trainer Linton Calder for his double. As a result, he pushed his lead at the top of the standing to five wins ahead of Dane Nelson, who had one winner in Pure Heart in the third race for trainer Patrick Lynch.
Getstorm, trained by Patrick Fong and ridden by Jordan Barrett, won the other trophy race – the Al Gopie Memorial over five furlongs (1,000m) straight.
