ONE LIKE IT RELEASES MAIDEN TAG

One Like It, a three-year-old chestnut colt bred by Deputy Glitters out of Sandbath, easily brushed aside rivals to win a native-bred, three-year-old maiden condition offering going 5 furlongs (1,000m) round.

It was a smooth start for the Gresford Smith-trained One Like It as jockey Dane Dawkins pushed the colt into second place behind Jungle Boogie (Shane Ellis). Going into the half-mile turn The Pulse (Shavon Townsend) surrounded horses, ahead of Jungle Boogie and One Like It.

One Like It then got into his groove in the lane, and then powered away from rivals, to score by 6 lengths ahead of Premier Identity (Ramon Nepare) and The Pulse. After splits 24.0 x 48.2 the final time was clocked at 1:02.2.

OWEN DAWES SADDLES FIRST WINNER IN 2022

Trainer Owen Dawes saddled his first winner in the 2022 racing season after his charge Dare To Speak romped home in a three-year-old and upwards Optional Claiming ($250,000-$200,000) event, which also included native-bred six-year-olds and upwards (non-winners of three) and native-bred five-year-old and upwards (non-winners of two).

Ridden by Matthew Bennett, Dare To Speak left his starting stall in order with the seven-year-old settling in second place behind April Spirit (Jordan Barrett) down the backstretch in the 7-furlong (1,400m) contest. Dare To Speak continued to chase the leader from second place until approaching the distance when he took control.

Entering the drive, Dare To Speak wasted no time in sprinting clear of rivals to win, going away by 14 lengths in a time of 1:32.2. Finishing second was Powerful Red (Shane Richardson), some 5 lengths clear of April Spirit in third place.

ANOTHER WIN FOR TRAINER STEVEN TODD

Trainer Steven Todd continued to churn in the winners, as the consistent, top 10-conditioner notched his 19th winner for the season with Sudden Flight in a three-year-olds and upwards Optional Claiming ($550,000-$450,000) call also involving native-bred five-year-olds and upwards (non-winners of four) over the five straight course.

Sudden Flight, ridden by Roger Hewitt, disputed the early lead along with KD Rocket (Dane Dawkins), Berlino’s Choice (Tevin Foster), and Colour Me Tan (Phillip Parchment). As the runners sorted themselves out, Sudden Flight emerged as the lone leader when the horses went by the dummy rails.

Inside the final furlong, Berlino’s Choice joined Sudden Flight and the two battled for control, with Sudden Flight getting his head in front on the wire, winning by a short head. Baltusrol (Devon A Thomas), finished third with the final time recorded at 1:02.0.

SAMANTHA FLETCHER IS AGAIN A WINNER

Samantha Fletcher continued to make her presence felt among the top riders after notching her 10th win for the season aboard the Donovan Plummer-trained Quanna in a five-year-old and upwards (non-winners of 3) and a non-two for imported horses travelling 5 furlongs on the round course.

Quanna was unable to match the speed of the leaders and was held in fourth place behind Papito (Anthony Thomas), Sheer Beauty (Natalie Berger) and Ultimatum (Dane Dawkins) going into the half-mile turn.

Approaching the final bend, Quanna was still behind as Papito tried to steal a march entering the lane for the last two furlongs (400m). Fletcher got Quanna going with a sustained effort on the outside of rivals in deep stretch to win the event going away by two lengths.

Papito held on for second money as Daytona Belle came on for third place. The final time was 1:02.1.

FIVE HORSES CLAIMED

In the third race Donovan Plummer claimed Berlino’s Choice for owner Langford Jackto from Anthony Nunes, Colin Ferguson claimed Sudden Flight for owner Aston Henry from Steven Todd, and Marlon Anderson claimed Baltusrol for owner Yehert Miller from Lincoln Lungs. All three horses in the third went for $550,000 each.

In the seventh race, Owen Dawes claimed Smarty Tradition for owner Aston Henry from Steven Todd, and Marlon Anderson claimed Uncle Wal for owner Yehert Miller from Nicholas Smith. Both horses were claimed for $250,000 each.