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DILIGENT WINS NEW YEAR’S DAY TROPHY
Diligent, owned and trained by Patrick Lynch and ridden by the improving Oneil Scott, powered between horses on the inside to win the New Year’s Day Trophy over six-and-a-half furlongs (1,300m) by a length and a quarter.
In the field of five horses, Diligent raced in fourth position just behind Anthony Nunes’s Musketoon (Harriston Lewis), A.P.I. (Dick Cardenas) and Blue Tradition (Linton Steadman), going into the half-mile (800m) turn.
Diligent held his position on the inside, with Blue Tradition turning for home as Musketoon and API but the grey gelding responded well and got up in time for an emphatic victory. Musketoon was second, while Malachi (Dane Dawkins) came on for third in a time of 1:19.2.
The victory was Scott’s second of the afternoon, as he had ridden the Johnny Wilmot-trained Willodeen to victory in the previous race.
WILLODEEN RELEASES MAIDEN TAG
Under a well-timed ride from apprentice Oneil Scott, Willodeen was able to release the maiden tag at Caymanas Park on Monday, New Year’s Day.
Trained by Johnny Wilmot, Willodeen (Storm Craft – Shakira) didn’t get off to a great start, and raced among the backmarkers in the early part of the seven-furlong (1,400m) event.
Willodeen then began to pick off horses on the inside rails and slipped down into fourth position as Uncle Wal (Jerome Innis) took the field towards the half-mile (800m), chasing Strike It Lucky (Dane Dawkins) and Strikerprincegeorge (Oneil Beckford).
Turning for home in second position as Uncle Wal skipped away and looked like the overall winner, Scott prodded his mount in deep stretch and Willodeen changed gear in the last furlong (200m) and got up to beat Uncle Wal by a neck on the line. Princess Kavel came through for third money under Anthony Thomas. The winning time was 1:29.2.
EIGHT HORSES CLAIMED ON MONDAY, ONE CLAIM DISMISSED
Eight horses were claimed on the 10-race programme at Caymanas Park on Monday, New Year’s Day, while one claim was dismissed by the stewards of the race meeting (See Page 1).
In the fourth race, trainer Christopher Pierre claimed True Whisper for himself from Steven Todd; Norman Rose claimed Princess Brianna for owner David Pottinger from Johnny Wilmot; O’Neil Markland claimed Mighty Crown for owner Kris Doc from Tyrone Prince; Renex Burrell claimed Speedy Process for owner Lloyd Salmon from Junior Hall, and Michael Hall claimed Gaga Lady for owner Jennifer Hall from Howard Jaghai. All claims were made for $250,000.
In the seventh race on a $180,000 claiming tag, Cause For Concern was claimed from Barrington Rambally by Gary Griffiths for owner Bonnie and Clyde; El Saldado was taken from Welsh Soutar by Norman Rose for himself, and He’stherealLinks was claimed from Robert Darby Snr by Andrew McDonald for himself.
MONEYNEVERSLEEP WINS MCKAY SECURITY LIMITED TROPHY
Ten-year-old bay mare Moneyneversleep was in a no-nonsense mood as she slammed rivals by over six lengths in the $1-million McKay Security Limited Trophy over nine furlongs and 25 yards (1,820m).
Ridden by Dane Nelson, Moneyneversleep, the 3-5 favourite, raced somewhat off the lead for most of the way before she began to make her move approaching the half-mile when rounding horses.
By the time the field was about to swing into the final turn, Moneyneversleep assumed the lead, and with Nelson rapidly changing his hold, the Region Of Merit offspring skittered away to score by six-and-a-quarter lengths. Richie’s Pik (Phillip Parchment) was second, He’stherealLinks (Javaniel Patterson) third, and Cause For Concern (Rayan Wilson) fourth. The final time was 2:02.2. The victory was trainer Anthony Dixon’s first since he started his career last month.
“This horse is as fit as can be, and she has been running some very good races as well. In her last four starts, she had won three times, and so this was just one more to add to the tally,” Nelson said.