IN an astonishing display of resilience and talent Banadura turned her fortunes around in dramatic fashion, transforming from a distant fourth-place finisher in the recent 1,000 Guineas to a commanding champion in the $3.75-million Jamaica Oaks Classic.

Three-year-old bay filly Banadura, trained by Jason DaCosta, defied 6-1 odds to deliver a breathtaking performance, leaving her 12 rivals in her wake over 10 furlongs (2,000m) at Caymanas Park on Saturday.

Seizing control of the race at the half-mile (800m) mark, Banadura, under Robert Halledeen, unleashed a powerful surge, crossing the finish line a dominant two and a half lengths clear in a final time of 2:14.3 (25.3 x 50.4 x 1:16.3 x 1:45.0).

This remarkable victory cements Banadura’s status as top filly in training at present.
Run Julie Run, however, has the opportunity to reclaim the position as top filly if she is to win the Jamaica Derby on Tuesday, August 6.

Rosetta, ridden by Phillip Parchment, came on strong towards the end of the race to finish second at odds of 13-1, giving DaCosta a one-two finish.
Amma (Shane Ellis), a 16-1 betting option, came home in third place while 3-5 favourite
Comehometome (Tevin Foster) completed the frame.

The victory was DaCosta’s second in the Jamaica Oaks, having saddled Mamma Mia (Phillip Parchment) in last year’s edition.

“I’m happy with the results of all my fillies in the race,” DaCosta said in a post-race interview.

“ Rosetta and Comehomewithme got a lot of traffic problems and they still ran well.
Banadura, what can I say? She got a brilliant ride from Robert [Halledeen]. She was in a perfect position throughout the race and made her move at the right time so I can’t ask for anything else.”

For Halledeen it was also his second Jamaica Oaks winner after guiding A Thousand Stars to victory in 2016 for DaCosta’s father, the late Wayne.

“Well, Mr [Jason] DaCosta did all the maths for this race,” Halledeen said.

“There were just a few speeds in the race — and we all knew that they going to give up by time we reach the six-furlong marker — and from there, the plan was to turn the race into a sprint and so that was what happened.

“I was never worried at any during the race. From the six furlongs I was pressing the gas because going 10 furlongs in the Jamaica Oaks, horses don’t really run on leaving the half mile. So, once we are about three, four lengths leaving the half mile in front, it was going to cause trouble for everybody.
Banadura held on in the end and I am happy with the performance.”

As the field passed the stands for the first time, 99-1 long shot Sippin on Sunshine (Aaron Chatrie) took a surprising lead, with Banadura, She’s That Girl (Raddesh Roman), and
Rack Dem (Everton Miller) hot on her heels. Banadura’s patience eventually paid off as she bided her time behind the leader, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

Banadura continued to race in second position as the field made their way onto the main track.
Banadura maintained her gallop well down the backstretch before Halledeen gave her the green light and she surged to the front approaching the half-mile. She’s That Girl refused to give up, though, chasing relentlessly as Blu Sensational made a late surge with
Amma.

But Banadura was unstoppable. With a few expert cracks of the whip and a couple of subtle hold changes from Halledeen, she maintained her gallop and crossed the wire first, securing her third win of the season from five starts.

It was the second winner on the day for DaCosta as he earlier saddled Madelyn’s Sunshine (Tevin Foster) in the previous race.

Also with a double was jockey Raddesh Roman who was successful aboard Bernard De Quik for trainer Errol Subratie in the Emma Chen Memorial Trophy, and aboard
Trust Fund Baby for trainer Anthony Nunes in the Margaret Parchment Trophy.

Racing continues on Tuesday with the 104th running of the $7.5-million Jamaica Derby, the final Classic race of the season. DaCosta’s Intrestntimeshead is the ante-post favourite for the 12-furlong (2,400m) event.