Ellis lands vital three-timer at Caymanas
SHANE Ellis took riding honours as he continued to lead the jockey championship chase with a three-timer, including the anchor event at Caymanas Park on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Nasatol, like Old Man River, keeps rolling along as he registered his 36th career win on the nine-race card to also share in the limelight after winning his 21st victory over the 1,000 metres straight course, ridden by Omar Walker.
The title-chasing jockey drove the 1-4 favourite Fluffy to a 1 3/4 lengths win ahead of 12-1 choice, Antioch, in the $715,000 Overnight Allowance anchor of the nine-race card.
Fluffy, an imported four-year-old filly, clocked 1:12.3 seconds for 1200 metres.
River Styx, riden by claiming apprentice Richard Cole, and Antioch, ridden by Wesley Henry, controlled the early part of the race with Ellis keeping Fluffy in close attendence, stalking the pacesetters until entering the stretch drive.
Entering the stretch for the final 400 metres scamper, Ellis moved Fluffy three wide for clearer racing room and then went ahead of Anticoh, who had earlier dismissed River Styx, before turning for home.
From then on is was a battle for second money as Fluffy — owned by Elizabeth DaCosta & Edmund Thomas and trained by Wayne DaCosta — proved too resolute as she came bounding in for a comfortable victory that closed a triple for the leading rider.
Antioch, who continued the chase, held off Sir Jaadu Baba, who came charging at the end along the running rails by a short head for second money, while Oasis completed the frame under Paul Francis as a 5-1 bet.
A dark bay/brown filly by Chelsea Cat out of Carol’s Littlebit (Above Normal) and bred by Nancy Shuford in the USA, Fluffy recorded her eighth win from 19 career starts and earned $390,400 as the winner’s share for a bankroll of $4,221,500 lifetime.
Ellis’ two other wins were aboard the 2-1 chance Yeswecan in gthe second race and Jovoun The Master in the sixth to bring his tally to 64 wins two more than closest rival Dick Cardenas who is on 62 after riding two winners. Champion jockey Omar Walker who began the day third on 59 wins one behind Cardenas and two away from leader Ellis had only one success and remains in third position with four off the lead.