RANI Bangala, trained by Robert Pearson, comfortably defeated competitors in the eighth running of the $1.25-million Errol “Big Sub” Subratie Memorial Trophy feature in shocking manner at Caymanas Park on Sunday.

The four-year-old bay filly Rani Bangala, who was competing for the first time at the Overnight Allowance level, led from start to finish, winning the three-year-old and upward contest over one mile (1,600m) by a dominant 16 lengths. Rani Bangala won in 1:38.3 (24.2 x 47.3 x 1:12.1), while registering her fourth win in a row.

Rani Bangala was launched from the starting gates by jockey Raddesh Roman in good order to take up the running in the 11-horse field. As they passed the intersection at the seven-furlong (1,400m) pole, Rani Bangala was well-relaxed on the lead, ahead of Big Jule (Robert Halledeen), Excessive Force (Shane Richardson), and Babylike (Oneil Mullings).

Rani Bangala was being pursued by Big Jule, Excessive Force, and Mojito (Tevin Foster) but the fast-moving filly kept up her speed well down the backstretch. In the subsequent half-mile Rani Bangala picked up the pace before Mojito broke through the pursuing pack to go in chase of the leader.

Rani Bangala turned for home, shifted gears, engaged the afterburners, and put on arguably her best career performance to date, while leaving the field struggling in the final stretch. Sunset Silhoutte (Reyan Lewis) ran on for second place ahead of Mojito in third place.

It was the second winner on the nine-race card for Roman as he had earlier booted home Custer in the fourth race for trainer Saqlain Roman. Custer was the first career win for Saqlain.

Dane Dawkins, the reigning champion jockey, also had two victories on the day. Empress Nakelia, trained by Robert French, won the second race while Desert of Malibu, trained by Gary Subratie, won the eighth.

On the back of the victories, Dawkins was able to reduce Reyan Lewis’s advantage at the top of the standing. In the battle for the championship Dawkins has 73 victories while Lewis, who was winless on the day, has 85.

Racing continues this afternoon with another nine-race card. The feature event is the 48th running of the $2.5-million Philip Feanny Gold Cup. First post is at 12:15 pm.