DONWELL Dawes celebrated the first victory of his training career on Saturday, August 19, 2023 at Caymanas Park, after saddling Ali to an easy six-length romp in the opening event on the 10-race card.

Ali, who was Dawes’ sixth starter, prevailed in a three-year-old and upwards Optional Claiming ($250,000-$200,000) spread that also included six-year-olds and upwards (non-winners of three) and native-bred five-year-olds and upwards (maidens) travelling seven furlongs (1,400m).

Dawes, who grew up in a racing family, said he was excited to get started. “To be honest, I’m feeling overwhelmed right now. I’m doing it and I’m just glad I got started,” an elated Dawes said in the winners’ enclosure.

“I have so many people in the racing industry in my family. My great-grandfather, grandfather, father, cousins Omar Walker (a six-time champion jockey), Reyan Lewis, Raddesh Roman, and Kerry-Gayl Robinson.

“I have a lot of family members in the groom world also like Tefara Wright, champion groom. From I was a young boy growing up I am in racing. I was also around trainers Oneil Markland and Dwight Chen,” he added.

Ridden by Lewis, Ali shot to the front at the start, then held the lead ahead of Thunderstrike (Javaniel Patterson), War Of The Roses (Shane Richardson), and Galway Bay (Milton Powell) down the backstretch.

Ali then began to open up on rivals going into the half-mile (800m) turn, and by the time the field turned for home the seven-year-old chestnut horse was long gone. Ali won easily ahead of Thunderstrike and JNR Jones (Dane Dawkins) in a time of 1:32.4 (25.1 x 49.1 x 1:16.0).

“No instruction was given to Lewis, who has been riding so well. When I read the race form there was no speed in the race so it was just a matter of getting in front and making every post a winning one,” Dawes said.