Raddesh Roman retorts with four-timer
Raddesh “Sneaky Fox” Roman, the in-form and title-chasing jockey, responded to leading rider Tevin “Terrific” Foster’s declaration of purpose with a four-timer on Saturday, April 20, 2024.
Foster made a dramatic statement on Sunday, April 14, by winning five of the 10 races, increasing his advantage at the top of the standings to 16 winners. Foster finished with 43 wins to Roman’s 27 at the end of the day. Roman was winless.
Roman’s four-timer included Anonymous and Golden Syrup for trainer Anthony Nunes in the third and sixth races, respectively, He Stands Alone for trainer Michael Cain Jr in the seventh race, and Antarctica for trainer Errol Waugh in the night pan.
Foster went winless on the show, while Roman reduced the advantage to 12 winners with eight months to go in the championship race.
“As you know, I was out of the saddle for a couple of race days due to injuries, which was a setback for me.
“Returning wasn’t hard, but I had to do the necessary work to recover and get back fit and healthy to ride,” Roman said.
He added, “I will just continue to do the hard work and continue to deliver the goods whenever I get them. I am just praying to stay injury-free, stay out of trouble with the stewards, and continue to win races. Success only comes with hard work, and I am willing to put in the work.”
The win aboard Antarctica came in the day’s feature event, the Aston Commock Memorial Trophy, a native-bred four-year-olds and upward (non-winners of three) and imported four-year-olds and upward (non-winners of two) going a mile (1,600m).
Roman and Antarctica got a good break-off and assumed pole position.
Antarctica was chased down the backstretch by Ertugrul (Roger Hewitt), Super Alex (Youville Pinnock), Superio (Tevin Foster), and Uncaptured Empress (Omar Walker).
Going into the half-mile turn, Antarctica upped the tempo on rivals and began to draw clear.
Antarctica came into the lane with the lead and went on to win by 4 ½ lengths in a time of 1:42.2 (24.3 x 48.1 x 1:16.0).
Cookie Day N Night (Richard Henry) finished second, and Super Alex came home in third place.
“I wasn’t worried at any point during the race because everything went according to plan. The instructions were to get a good break, find the lead, relax him as much as possible, and ride him for the last two furlongs. That was what I did, and we came out of the race as the winners,” Roman said.