DENNIS THWAITES’S GOOD FORM CONTINUES
Trainer Dennis Thwaites continued his good form, saddling another double, Storm Valley, and Superluminal.
Ridden by Linton Steadman, Storm Valley (Storm Craft – That Girl) made one move to win a five-year-old and upwards Optional Claiming ($180,000-$150,000) event that also included native-bred six-year-olds and upwards (non-winners of two) and native-bred five-year-olds and upwards (maidens) going six furlongs (1,200m),
The nine-year-old dark bay horse won by six lengths ahead of Willodeen (Jawani Forbes) and Senor Kwanzi (Anthony Thomas) in a time of 1:18.4.
Ten-year-old bay horse Superluminal (Natural Selection – Thousand Hills) also made one shake in a three-year-old and upwards claiming ($750,000-$600,000) contest travelling a one mile (1,600m).
With Omar Walker in the saddle, Superluminal easily brushed aside rivals to win by 3½ lengths moving away in a time of 1:42.2 for his 20th career win from 73 starts. Inspired Miracle (Phillip Parchment) finished second and Blood Song (Jerome Innis) third. Both Storm Valley and Superluminal are owned by Carlton Watson and groomed by Jerome Samuels.
HOPENPERSEVERANCE OFF THE MARK
Hopenperseverance, after three career starts got off the mark in a four-year-old and upwards Maiden Condition call at seven furlongs (1,400m).
With jockey Mario Chong riding for trainer Ryan Darby, Hopenperseverance (Ride On Curlin – Dicolas Brat) existed her starting barrier in good order, settling in the second spot down the backstretch behind Bubbly Girl (Aaron Chatrie). Hopenperseverance made steady progress until approaching the distance when she pressed forward to challenge Bubbly Girl for the lead.
Hopenperseverance turned for home with the advantage, eventually cruising home to win easily by 4½ lengths. Magic Bullet (Chris Mamdeen), who tried to challenge the winner in deep stretch, finished in second place as favourite Pro Johnny (Phillip Parchment) took the third spot. The final time for the race was 1:32.0.
SALAH IN THE NICK OF TIME
Trained by Phillip Elliott and ridden by Phillip Parchment, Salah produced a late run to collar Pakman in a three-year-old and upwards Optional Claiming ($400,000-$300,000) race that included native-bred six-year-olds and upwards (non-winners of four) at 5½ furlongs (1,100m).
Salah was not able to go with the early leaders, sitting behind the early pacesetters as Breaking Storm (Roger Hewitt) led the field ahead of Pakman (Nicholas Hibbert) and Lazer Light (Reyan Lewis) going into the half-mile (800m).
Turning for home and going wide of rivals, Salah increased his gallop with a furlong to go and got up in time for the win. Salah won by ½ length ahead of Pakman and Lazer Light. The final time was 1:09.4.
DODGE THIS LINK WINS AGAIN
Dodge This Link completed a quick double after putting away rivals in a native-bred five-year-old and upwards (non-winners of four) and imported five-year-olds and upwards (non-winners of three) offering going 6 1/2 furlongs (1,300m).
Dodge This Link raced behind Sniper Man (Omar Walker), Just An Illusion (Dick Cardenas), Ajita (Anthony Thomas), and Expeditious (Phillip Parchment). Jockey Dane Dawkins then urged the Ian Parsard-trained Dodge This Link for an effort and the five-year-old chestnut gelding then surrounded horses leaving the half-mile to occupy the second spot just off leader Sniper Man.
With the momentum going his way, Dodge This Link surged to the front entering the lane and kept up to his work, winning by a length and three quarters ahead of Chennai Express (Ramon Nepare) and Bin Laden (Chalrick Budhai). The winning time was 1:22.3.
SEVEN HORSES CLAIMED
Wilfred Chin claimed Willodeen for himself from Edward Walker for $180,000, and Michael McIntosh claimed winner Storm Valley for himself from Dennis Thwaites, also for $180,000 from the first race.
In the third race Jason DaCosta claimed Breaking Storm for owner Colshar Limited from Marlon Anderson, Raymond Townsend claimed Pakman for himself from Joseph Thomas, and Steven Todd claimed Lazer Light for owner David Pottinger from Anthony Dixon. All horses from the third event went for $400,000 each.
Ralph Porter claimed the winner of the fourth race, Superluminal, for owner Dr Lynden Richards from Dennis Thwaites for $750,000, while Ralph Roberts claimed Great Wayne for owner Manley Julius from Jason DaCosta also for $750,000.
