Chace The Great takes feature
LEADING RIDER Anthony Thomas produced CHACE THE GREAT with a late spurt to collar 8-5 favourite SIEMPRE BUENO in yesterday’s Reggae Trophy, winning consecutive feature races in as many days at Caymanas Park.
The two-kilo claiming apprentice took his tally to six winners in the last three meets, including a three-timer for champion trainer Wayne DaCosta last Sunday, landing the Owen Silvera Memorial astride Uncle Frank.
Last year’s Caribbean Sprint champion at six furlongs, CHACE THE GREAT, winless from four starts this season, was sent off at odds of 5-2 and shared joint topweight of 121lb with SEEKING MY DREAM.
SIEMPRE BUENO broke briskly from postposition six with lightweight jockey Wesley Henry to get away from MR UNIVERSE and appeared a winner a furlong out in the fivefurlong straight race.
However, CHACE THE GREAT closed strongly inside the last half-furlong to go by a winded SIEMPRE BUENO to clock a fast 58.2 to win by a length and a quarter.
18 WINNERS CLEAR
Thomas is now 18 winners clear of Shane Ellis in the jockeys’ standings and has one more day in the saddle, this Wednesday, before going off on a five-day suspension for three instances of interference.
Ellis rode two winners, BORONIA in the opening event and 24-1 outsider GENERAL REPORT, who straightened fourth in the ninth race and closed strongly to turn the event on its head.
Apprentice Oneil Scott also rode two winners, BIG DREAM in the fourth and SIR JHUNJHUN WALAH in the 10th.
Lorne Kirlew was the top trainer on the day, taking a quick double with favourites in the first two races – BORONIA and POWERFUL RED.