After an electrifying run in deep stretch, Royal Assault, under champion apprentice Linton Steadman, got up in time to win the top-rated Overnight Allowance event to highlight the 10-race midweek programme at Caymanas Park yesterday.

Sent off as the even-money favourite in the small field of eight runners, Royal Assault, under a snug wrap, settled into third position at the half-mile behind expected leader Talented Tony K (Bebeto Harvey up) and Dreamliner, the mount of Omar Walker.

Royal Assault then drew alongside Dreamliner at the top of the lane, as Talented Tony K looked all over the winner at the furlong pole. but when Steadman produced his mount, Royal Assault found extra and blew past Talented Tony K in the last half-furlong to win by one-and-a-quarter lengths going away in a quick 1:05.0 minutes for 1,100 metres.

Royal Vibes (Jevvanne Erwin astride) came on strongly in the last furlong to finish third ahead of Lady Shankari (Javeniel Patterson up) in fourth. Royal Assault, a four-year-old chestnut colt by Blue Pepsi Lodge – Mayken Joy, is owned by Preferred Racing and trained by Anthony Nunes.

“I know this horse very well. I have won on him on numerous occasions and so winning this race was never in doubt,” Steadman told the Jamaica Observer.

It was the second winner on the card for Steadman and Nunes, as the duo combined to win the first race with firsttime runner Bilingual.Also winning two races were apprentices Bebeto Harvey and Javaniel Patterson.

Harvey won aboard Scar in the second race for owner/trainer Wayne Parchment, and Jessie James for trainer Ryan Darby in the Alty McKenzie Memorial Cup feature in the third race.

Patterson got home aboard Quick Chic in the sixth race for trainer Johnny Wilmot, and Big Al for owner/trainer Dwight Chen in the eighth race.

Jamaican jockey Trevor Simpson won his first race at the Aqueduct racetrack in New York yesterday when he piloted home 34-1 To The Victory in the sixth race over seven furlongs in 1:24.97 minutes.

Racing continues on Saturday, which will see the return of former champion jockey, Panamanian Dick Cardenas, to the saddle at Caymanas Park.