Uncle Ken delivers Heron Mem feature

BY HURBUN WILLIAMS Observer writer

Sunday, February 05, 2012

UNCLE Ken came down in class as a 2-1 chance to win the $462,000 Mortimer 'Morty' Heron Memorial Cup claiming feature at Caymanas Park yesterday and presented recent graduate trainer Robert R Alveranga with his first win.

Masterfully ridden by jockey Shane Ellis, Uncle Ken ran 1,820 metres in a time of 2:01.3 to win by 2 1/2 lengths from a pesky-looking Seek Gold, the 8-5 second favourite, ridden by Paul Francis.

Cruiser, who notched his last win over the distance at two levels higher in October last, held on to show under jockey Trevor Simpson, while White Star, a 9-1 bet ridden by Dane Nelson completed to frame in the field of nine.

A field of 10 was originally declared, but Sir Jaadu Baba was a late non-starter.

The first win of the season registered by Uncle Ken and the second among $250,000 - $210,000 claimers (three-year-olds upward, native-bred five-year-old (NW2) and six-year-olds (NW4) also provided Ellis with his third success on the 10-race programme as he had earlier booted home Richieshappynotion in the third race for trainer Lorne Kirlew and Saga Boy in the fifth for trainer Fitzroy Glispie.

The once-promising two and three-year-old Classic contender came to the wicket well prepared and left the gates promptly to grab the early lead.

Held in check by his rider, the colt and his rider soon took a back seat in third spot as Lady Gorakhpur, the 47-1 chance ridden by Richard Lunan, hopped to the front to lead from the 6-5 favourite, Cruiser.

However, approaching the 800-metre pole, Ellis and Uncle Ken went in serious chase of the leaders and soon assumed the lead with 600m remaining to turn for home ahead of the field.

Francis and Seek Gold threw down a seething challenge on the outside of Uncle Ken as the runners settled down for the final 400m drive, but Ellis, who knows his mount well, accepted the challenge and remained at the head of things until the wire arrived.

Owned by Lawrence Freemantle, Uncle Ken, a four-year-old bay gelding by Alajwad out of Kathythetraina (Conquitador Cielo) and bred by Trevor James, was winning the for the fifth time from 13 career starts and earned $252,250 as the winner's share for earnings of $4,541,650 lifetime.