FEATURED on the 10-race programme and run as race three was the first staging of the Hover Craft Trophy for two-year-olds.

Oakridge Farms imported filly Digital One (1-9) scored by over six lengths, with Reyan Lewis providing the horsemanship. Having won her maiden event over 1,100 metres on the October 7, this effort over 1,200 metres confirms the progress of the Jason DaCosta-conditioned American thoroughbred.

Half an hour earlier Lewis, the year’s leading reinsman, rode the first of his riding double in the 1,100-metre second event aboard Victoriasmedallion (7-5) for trainer Leroy Tomlinson, to open his seasonal account from 20 starts.

In race four, run over 1,000 metres round, defending champion Dane Dawkins had his sole success riding 1-5 favourite Hunza to a six-length margin of victory for trainer Phillip Elliott. These results leave Dawkins’ pursuit of a second title 11 short of Lewis on 87, but there is yet hope for a successful challenge with 20 race days and around 200 races left in the 2023 racing year.

Trained by Gary Griffiths with three-kilogramme claimer Anthony Allen at the reins, Here Comes Doc (5-1) was six lengths clear at the finish line of the 1400-metre sixth event.

The 1300-metre race seven saw Wilson (4-5), saddled by Edward Walker and piloted by former six-time champion Omar Walker, adding to the frequent undesirable plethora of short-priced wide-margin runaways. Wilson was nine lengths and a quarter clear at the end of a gallop lasting 85 seconds flat.

Favourite at 1-5 Mahogany, conditioned by Ian Parsard and ridden by Robert Halledeen, scored by six and a half lengths ahead of disqualified runner-up Is That A Fact (USA) in winning race eight contested over 1000 metres round.

The margin of victory published in the official result as one and a half lengths is incorrect. Given the number of occasions this error has occurred, whoever is recording the result is unaware that on the occasions of disqualifications the original winning distances remain unchanged, but with an accompanying notation.

Following an unplaced debut abroad but expected to make an auspicious start to his local career, Propellant (USA) from the barn of former three-time champion Anthony Nunes was fancied as 4-5 favourite to succeed over the 1820 metres of race nine. However, the now fast-improving riding skill set of Raddesh Roman ensured the far striding, well-bred, American invader must now await a less-exacting opportunity.

Drawn wide at post position 10, Super Alex (7-5) got the benefit of a smart decision by Roman. To avoid being caught wide because of the short run to the Clubhouse Turn 1600 metres out, he yielded ground to the three rivals on his inside to assume a position closer the inner rails as Propellant (USA) set the pace. With 800 metres to race, the well-positioned Super Alex sped by the front-running favourite and outstayed him by four lengths. This run by Super Alex was 2023 win number 16 from 125 starts for breeder-owner-trainer Carl Anderson.

In the nightcap 23-1 shot Shrewsbury Norm, conditioned by second-generation trainer Ryan Darby, led early and had most rivals in trouble at the top of the home straight, which is just over 400 metres from the finish. It needed all the skill and accumulated experience of veteran reinsman Paul Francis to keep the burly grey filly running gamely inside the last 100 metres to last home by a head. This proved to be a fitting birthday gift for popular owner Nadon (Hubert Kerr).

Not many are in the conversation, therefore, the Training Feat Award is presented to Carl Anderson for the performance of Super Alex in displaying the Best Winning Gallop. For the Jockeyship Award it is a close call between Roman and Francis but the accolade goes to the former, who had a couple of important decisions relating to positioning and judgement of pace aboard Super Alex.