Easy for Azan’s Money Magnet
MONEY MAGNET used her class to chase and beat stablemate PEKING CRUZ in yesterday’s Eileen Cliggott Memorial, securing an exacta for trainer Richard Azan in the six and a half furlong grade-one feature event.
Carrying topweight 126lb for the first time in the class, MONEY MAGNET pressed Anthony Nunes’ EXHILARATE down the backstretch before dropping back into third, allowing PEKING CRUZ to attack the leader.
PEKING CRUZ rushed past EXHILARATE and raced into the straight with a clear advantage, exciting backers anticipating a 3-2 payday.
However, 1-2 favourite MONEY MAGNET hit top stride down along the rail and surged forward under Barbadian Simon Husbands a half-furlong out to win by a length and a half in a smart 1:17.4.
Two-time former champion jockey Dane Nelson and apprentice Reyan Lewis each rode two winners on the 11-race card.
Nelson landed back-to-back winners, 3-2 chance GOLDEN DESTINY and UNCLE FREDDIE at 5-2 in the ninth and 10th races, respectively, joining apprentice Christopher Mamdeen atop the jockeys’ standings on 11 winners.
Lewis improved his position in the top 10, joining Tevin Foster and Shane Ellis, sharing sixth place on six winners apiece.
The three-kilo claiming rider won twice over the straight course, opening his tally aboard 4-5 favourite JAMALJAMES in the third and closed the card with five-straight specialist ADONIS at even-money.
Racing continues on Saturday.