MAHOGANY fires warning shot with big win
MAHOGANY WENT by 1-2 favourite ENGLAND’S ROSE three furlongs out, then dismissed SHE’S A HIT early in the stretch run yesterday to solidify his claim as the most improved three-year-old in training, chalking up a fourth straight win and firing another warning shot at winter-book 2000 Guineas favourite, WOW WOW.
The classy chestnut gelding easily kept his position from the one hole in the five-and-a-half furlong sprint, sitting third, while the fillies, SHE’S A HIT and ENGLAND’S ROSE ran off the first quarter in a zippy 22.3.
SHE’S A HIT found another gear which left ENGLAND’S ROSE, standing, causing her to be quickly collared by an easy-going MAHOGANY, who effortlessly picked up the chase leaving the three pole.
Set down in the drive by Dane Dawkins, MAHOGANY was all over SHE’S A HIT in a flash and ran out a comfortable four-and-a-quarter length winner ahead of stablemate FATHER PATRICK, who had straightened as a team with ENGLAND’S ROSE and stayed on well to claim second.
MAHOGANY, warming up for his 2000 Guineas showdown with WOW WOW on July 26, posted 1:06.0 for the trip, carrying 119lb with Dawkins, who notched three winners on the 12-race card.
Dawkins landed the following event with 8-1 shot ANOTHER AFFAIR, after opening his tally with HIGH DIPLOMACY at 4-1 in the third race.
POWERFUL CLASSIC STATEMENT
ANOTHER AFFAIR, who is prepping for the 1000 Guineas, set for July 25, gave a command performance at six and a half furlongs, going gate to wire with Dawkins, a powerful classic statement from Gary Subratie, who also trains WOW WOW.
ANOTHER AFFAIR was a lonely winner, clocking 1:19.3, leaving KING ARTHUR struggling in her nine-and-a-half length victory.
Dane Nelson also rode three winners, moving his tally to 21, extending his lead atop the jockeys’ standings to eight ahead of Anthony Thomas.
Nelson opened the programme with SUPREME AUTHORITY before landing the fifth in a driving finish aboard DESRIANNA, collaring a weakening FABULOSITY at the wire.
He sealed his three-timer astride Anthony Nunes’ even-money favourite, PRINCE CHARLES, handing the champion trainer his second winner of the afternoon following FANTASTIC FEELINGS’ victory in the seventh with Shane Ellis.
Trainers Patrick Lynch and Johnny Wilmot also saddled two winners apiece. Lynch landing HIGH DIPLOMACY and WILSON in the sixth whereas Wilmot’s winners were DEEP BLUE SEA and BALAZO in the fourth and eighth races, respectively.
Racing continues at Caymanas Park with back-to-back meets this Saturday and Sunday.
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