THE GOOD WITCH H EARNS FIRST WIN ON LOCAL SOIL

The Good Witch, running with tongue tie on and the figure 8 off, was able to get her head in front at the wire in a three-year-old and upward Optional Claiming ($400,000-$300,000) event that included six-year-olds and upward (non-winners of four) over six furlongs (1,200m).

With Dane Dawkins riding for trainer Gary Subratie, The Good Witch raced in mid-pack at the start of the race and watched as Wilson (Shane Richardson) led the field into the half-mile (800m) turn ahead of Manaco (Reyan Lewis) and Smoke Haze (Oshane Nugent).

The Good Witch was still somewhat off the pace as Manaco, who took over the lead approaching the distance, carried the field into the lane and looked strong on the front end. When all seemed lost for The Good Witch inside the final furlong of the race, Dawkins got his mount going and the six-year-old American-bred bay mare got up to win by a length and half at the wire.

Manaco finished second and Bold Sami (Shavon Townsend) finished third as the final time was record in 1:17.3 (23.3 x 48.2).

BERNARD DE QUICK RELEASES MAIDEN TAG

Three-year-old bay colt Bernard De Quick, after finishing fifth on debut as the favourite over 6 furlongs (1,200m) on August 1, returned and made mistake when easily beating rivals going half-furlong (100m) longer at 6 ½ furlongs (1,300m).

Bernard De Quick‘s (Bern Identity – Feasibility) first triumph came in a maiden condition race for native-bred three-year-olds where he won by 4 lengths at the line.

Ridden by Omar Walker for trainer Peter-John Parsard, Bernard De Quick broke off well at the start of the race, settling in mid-pack just behind the early leaders, before challenging Waterman John (Tevin Foster) for the lead navigating the half-mile turn.

Bernard De Quick came off the final turn with the lead and went on to win the race easily ahead of Waterman and Here Comes Doc (Anthony Allen) in a time of 1:20.3 (24.3 x 48.2 x 1:13.1).

EQUIPMENT CHANGE AND MARCH AND SHOOT GETS THE JOB DONE AT 15-1

The Marlon Brown-conditioned March and Shoot, under well-timed ride from jockey Matthew Bennett, got up in the nick of time to win a Restricted Allowance III contest for native-bred four-year-olds and upward (non-winners of four) and imported four-year-olds and upward (non-winners of three) over 5 furlongs (1,000m) straight at attractive odds of 15-1.

March and Shoot, who was running without the figure-8 off, was unable to go with the early pace and had to sit behind the speedsters as Jaguar (Paul Francis), A Gift From Ben (Tevin Foster), and KP Choice (Raddesh Roman) disputed the lead.

Coming across the dummy rails and onto the main track for the last two furlongs of the race, KP Choice emerged as the lone as March and Shoot began to get into top gear and looking dangerous with every stride taken.

With the momentum going his way, March and Shoot got up in the nick of time to nip KP Choice on the line to win the event by a neck. Jaguar finished third in a final time of 1:00.2 (23.2 x 46.2).

FEARLESS SOUL MAKES ENCOURAGING DEBUT

Although Fearless Soul‘s career is still in its early stages, the three-year-old chestnut colt trained by Philip Feanny made a good start when he comfortably defeated opponents in a 4-furlong challenge.

Bred by Soul Warrior out of the Graeme Hall mare Rumble, Fearless Soul, who is a half-brother to the likes of Further and Beyond, Above and Beyond, and Outbidder, won the $1.05-million Maiden Condition Race for native-bred three-year-olds by 4 ½ lengths in a time of 47.2.

Fearless Soul showed good speed at the start of the race but had to take second seat behind Ship Ahoy (Tevin Foster) in the quick sprint event. Fearless Soul bided his time well and when jockey Kerry-Gayl Robinson asked him to inside the final two furlongs of the race, he blew away rivals to win the first time of asking. Ship Ahoy finished second ahead of Cookie Day N Night (Ameth Robles).

SIX HORSES CLAIMED

In the first race, Manaco was claimed by Steven Todd for owner Ivan Rowe for $400,000 from Gregg Fennell; and Wilson was taken by Edward Walker for owner Jersey Boy Racing Stables, also for $400,000 from Davidan Robinson.

Winchester McIntosh claimed Contractor for $250,000 for himself form Arnold Rambally Jr; and Marlon Pusey claimed Buckaluck for $250,000 for owner Marlon Brown from Adrian Prince from the third race.

In the fourth race Steven Todd claimed Sheboom for owner Delroy Wellington from Carlton Cunningham; and Phillip Lee claimed Den Street for owner Robert Williams from Winchester McIntosh. Both horses were claimed for $750,000 each.