The combination of champion owner Carlton Watson and trainer Lawrence Freemantle posted a fine double on Saturday’s 10-race programme. They opened the card with 3-2 betting chance Meru, with apprentice Orlando Foster doing duties. Meru ran out an easy one-and-a-quarter lengths winner over Light Brigade (Jevvanne Erwin) going over 1,300 metres. The pair the closed the programme when El Numero (Renardo McNaughton). Quite significantly, Watson was the sponsor for the day through his company Cal’s. The last race won by El Numero Uno was in fact the main trophy race of the day, the Cal’s Soup Mixes Trophy, Watson therefore won his own trophy race.

Glorious cause finally releases maiden tag – after disqualification

After 17 starts Glorious Cause finally got it done but with some assistance from the raceday stewards. With the ever improving Kuri Powell in the saddle, Glorious Cause did enough to get into second position just ahead of Battle Song, the mount of Marc Griffiths. The winner of the event Classical Train ridden by Richard Mitchell was then disqualified and placed third behind Battle Song, who was promoted to second with first place going to Glorious Cause. The win gave trainer Gary Griffiths his fifth victory for the year.

Oh my gosh! it’s another change of equipment winner

It is now official, the Complete Racing Guide is tired of highlighting the difference a change of equipment can make between winning and losing. Such was the on Saturday with Neeno. After the two dismal runs by Neeno, beaten by a combined 35-and-a-quarter lengths, the five-year-old dark bay mare (Storm Craft – Faith Again) returned without the visor and the re-introduction of the blinker by trainer Everal Francis. Neeno came flying on the outside to be Pearl Appeal and Express Truck by a neck going over 1,000 metres. What more can be said?

Pro seco beats the odds

It not often we see a horse breaking the maiden tag and win first time of asking in the class above. Such was the case with the Anthony Nunes trained Pro Seco (Western Classic – Quiet Giant) on Saturday. Pro Seco stepped boldly in front in the non-winners of two contest (1,500 metres), with her rider Dick Cardenas digging deep to ward off the challenge of Also Correct (Marc Griffiths) in the end winning by a short-head. It was very interesting to see Cardenas who is the stable rider for Wayne DaCosta beating a DaCosta trained horse in Also Correct.