Jamaica-bred Oriental Appeal whips field in Trinidad
ARIMA, Trinidad (CMC) — Jamaica-bred filly Oriental Appeal dismissed her rivals on Saturday to win the $100,000 Nursery Stakes, the first juvenile event of the Arima Race Club’s 2010 season.
The Douglas Bennett-trained two-year-old made a very impressive debut in slamming her six rivals by 10-3/4 lengths as the West-Indian bred juveniles took centre stage at Santa Rosa Park.
Former champion jockey Brian Harding had little more than an armchair ride as the 3-5 favourite easily collected the $60,000-first prize cheque.
He broke Oriental Appeal smartly to set the pace followed by Sleepinginthong and Must be Magic, with D Girlz Dem Sugar in touch. These were followed by Remember Me and Lady Marisa.
However, the complexion of the race changed at the 600-metre marker when Harding allowed his mount to run on, and she did so in great style.
On the turn, the race was virtually over as a contest as Oriental Appeal began to pull clear of her rivals effortlessly and she finished well clear of another Jamaica-bred runner, D Girlz Dem Sugar which is conditioned by Glenn Mendez.
Oriental Appeal covered the 1,000-metre trip in a fast one minute, 00.11 seconds.
Riding honours for the day went to Brian Harding, who rode two winners.