THE ‘MESSENGER’ FLIES HOME

After going winless in 20 starts during the 2022 racing season, the Jason DaCosta-conditioned Fly Messenger Fly gave back to her connections on her seventh start this year, notching her second career win from 36 outings in a native-bred four year old and upwards (non-winners of two) and imported four-year-olds and upwards (maidens) over 7 furlongs (1,400m).

Fly Messenger Fly broke off well at the start under jockey Reyan Lewis as the chestnut filly settled in third place behind Power of Faith (Linton Steadman) and Tigray Express (Christopher Mamdeen) down the backstretch. Fly Messenger Fly watch as proceedings unfolded as Tigray Express surged to the front ahead of Power of Faith entering the lane.

With three horses spreading across the racetrack in deep stretch, Fly Messenger Fly, who went three wide coming off the final turn, gained the ascendency inside the final furlong (200m) to win the race by 2 lengths ahead of Tigray Express, who headed Power of Faith on the wire for second place. The final time for the race was 1:28.2.

NO PROBLEMS FOR

Six-year-old chestnut gelding Zabratone obliged as the favourite in a three-year-old and upwards Optional Claiming ($550,000-$450,000) spread that included native-bred six year olds and upwards (non-winners of four) and imported six year olds and upward (non-winners of three) going 6 ½ furlongs (1,300m).

Trained by Dennis Pryce and ridden by current leading jockey Tevin Foster, Zabratone recovered well from a slow start to go down in third place behind Wowza (Reyan Lewis) and Vampire Rejection (Romario Spencer) down the backstretch.

Zabratone continued to bide his time well, navigating the half-mile (800m) turn as Wowza continued to lead Vampire Rejection on a merry clip approaching the distance. Turning for home on the outside of runners, Zabratone was produced for a late effort, to get up for the win, by a length and a half.

Wowza held his gallop well in deep stretch for second place, with Sebastian (Youville Pinnock) taking third. After splits of 24.1 X 48.2 x 1:15.4, the final time was recorded at 1:23.3.

SCHLESINGER OUTSPRINTS RIVALS

Schlesinger, trained by Winchester McIntosh and ridden by Shane Richardson, outsprinted rivals to win a five-year-old and upwards Optional Claiming ($180,000-$150,000) call that included native-bred six year olds and upwards (non-winners of two) over 3 ½ furlongs (700m).

Schlesinger showed good speed at the off and disputed the lead along with Freedom For Eds (Phillip Parchment) and Money Marshall (Oshane Nugent), with Timetosaygoodbye (Roger Hewitt) just behind.

Crossing the dummy rails, Freedom For Eds held the lead ahead of Money Marshall and Schlesinger, looking comfortable heading into the final stages of the race. Richardson produced his mount for an effort, and Schlesinger kicked into gear and powered home to win by a length and a half.

Timetosaygoodbye came on late to get second place with Freedom For Eds third. The final time was 43.3.

TRAINER PAUL CHARLTON EARNS FIRST WIN IN 2023

Trainer Paul Charlton saddled his first winner for the season after his charge Danny Spud outbattled rivals to win a three-year-old and upwards Optional Claiming ($400,000-$300,000) contest that included native-bred six year olds and upwards (non-winners of four) and imported six year olds and upwards (non-winners of three) travelling 5 furlongs (1,000m) straight.

Ridden by Romario Spencer, Danny Spud, stepping down the claiming ladder, broke well, racing just adrift of the early leader Just An Illusion (Anthony Thomas).

With a furlong to go, Danny Spud, Just An Illusion, and Dodge This Link (Dane Dawkins) were locked in a three-way duel for the lead. Danny Spud got his head in front at the wire for the win, just a nose in front of Dodge This Link, who was then just a nose in front of the fast-finishing XY Soul (Reyan Lewis) in third place. The final time for the event was 1:02.3 (23.0 x 47.0).

FOUR HORSES CLAIMED

Gary Griffiths claimed the winner of the second race, Zabratone, for owner Noril Atkins for $550,000 from Dennis Pryce.

Steven Todd claimed Timetosaygoodbye for owner Rosdore for $180,000 from Donovan Russell from the fourth race.

In the fifth race, Tyrone Princes claimed Danny Spud for owner Anthony Chin from Paul Charlton for $375,000; and Ryan Williams claimed Dodge This Link for owner Patrick Hall from Dennis Thwaites for $400,000.