D ISTURBIN Di Peace (1/2), plagued by sundry setbacks, finally faced the starter at five-years-old and only needed the gentlest of persuasion to beat his nearest rival by six lengths to get the card underway.

Sir Ian Links, looking much improved physically, was kept off the early pace, made his move 800 metres out, turned for home on top and stayed in front unconvincingly to score by just over a length.

In the third, Uncle Wal justified favouritism with a four-length triumph to keep the form players happy to this point.

Brexit made all in the fourth at 7/1, beating the fainthearted odds-on favourite Mother Nature by two lengths, but the odds players were back in business in the fifth with My Super Girl (3/5) performing the promise of her exercise regimen to score by three lengths.

Fifty Cents and Superbolt disputed the lead to the top of the stretch with the latter taking over once they straightened. Running well at the distance, Superbolt held out winning prospects for his backers but found the late surge of Willowdeen irresistible and failed by a head to last for race six to provide the second of the three good-priced winners on the card.

Fresh from her convincing second-place finish in the Jamaica Oaks, Princess Ava outstayed half a dozen rivals thoroughly by coming home nearly 10 lengths clear of stable companion Big Bang to welcome back title-chasing trainer Anthony Nunes from his annual two-week family vacation.

Following the predictable procession in race seven, Beltane held a clear lead 700 metres out and had his field, with the exception of the eventual winner Thundereble, in trouble at the top of the stretch. Thundereble’s late rush got her the major slice of the purse in the final stride of the eighth event.

After leading for 1,800 of the 2000-metre Jamaica Oaks and only managing third place, 1000 Guineas winner I Am Di One was back after a series of spectacular exercise gallops. Appearing to be a lot trimmer and therefore more athletic, I Am Di One made all the running despite sustained pressure from outsider Pakman for 1,400 metres in the Open Overnight Allowance ninth race.

Champion reinsman Anthony Thomas was unperturbed and kept I Am Di One (50 kilos) on the bridle until turning for home. The time of 1:58.3 for the 1820-metre trip and the two and a half length winning margin has certainly raised legitimate questions in terms of the filly’s stamina and class. The fact of the matter is that I Am Di One did nothing wrong and looks likely to improve.

Regaining a little glimmer of the form which made him superior to his 11 rivals in his earlier career, Musketoon (10/1) ran on the heels of the four pacemakers, hit the front approaching the distance and ran well from that point to score by just over a length to send home his backers to a good night with a $593 win dividend for each $50 ticket staked.

The Training Feat Award goes to veteran and former jockey Fernando Geddes for the return to winning form of Musketoon, whom he claimed personally on April 22 and in the three starts prior lost by a total of 44 lengths. Given an opportunity to demonstrate once again he is the genuine article, the Jockeyship Award is given to reigning champion Anthony Thomas for his unflappable performance in the handling of the headstrong I Am Di One, thus making it look a lot easier than it was in reality. Princess Ava’s efficient display of speed and depths of stamina over 2,000 metres makes her deserving of the Best Winning Gallop award.