Thomas on fire at Caymanas
CLAIMING APPRENTICE Anthony Thomas won his seventh race in two racemeets yesterday, booting home a three-timer, including CHACE THE GREAT, in the 1200-metre None Such Sprint feature event.
The in-demand two-kilo claimer followed up on his four-timer from the previous Saturday’s meet by piloting home AGNES T in the second race and BLUE TRADITION in the eighth before partnering in-form CHACE THE GREAT to a determined victory in the feature.
Breaking from postposition two in a field reduced to six winners after TALENTED TONY K was scratched, injured at the gate, CHACE THE GREAT duelled SIR BUDGET from the half-mile and kicked clear in the stretch run to win by four and a half lengths.
CAMPESINO tried going with the speedsters but was unable to keep pace with 57.0 kilos and fell back to third, leaving the half-mile.
CHACE THE GREAT, a strong winner of the 1300-metre Seek Exercise Book Trophy race on August 26, relished his 17lb advantage over CAMPESINO, who tried in vain to close in the stretch run, but who was no match after getting involved in the opening fractions of 22.2.
A trio of jockeys – champion Omar Walker, Aaron Chatrie, and apprentice André Powell – each rode two winners on the 12-race card.
Three trainers – champion Wayne DaCosta, Ray Phillips, and Anthony Nunes – also took doubles.
However, Thomas was clearly the star for a second day running. His seven winners in two days moved him to joint fifth in the jockeys’ standings on 25 winners with Dane Dawkins.
Aaron Chatrie stayed fourth on 28 after his double, 12 behind Wesley Henry on 40 winners in third place.
Walker moved to 64 with his two-timer, 19 clear of Shane Ellis. The five-time champion jockey opened the programme aboard DaCosta’s two-year-old debutant, WITHOUT EXCEPTION, a full brother to this year’s Triple Crown champion filly, SHE’S A MANEATER.