CHAMPION jockey Raddesh Roman timed it to perfection. Blue Vinyl waited, waited, then exploded late to deny Supremasi in the $1.25-million Liu Chie Poo Trophy at Caymanas Park on Saturday.

Trained by Gary Subratie, Blue Vinyl settled off the pace down the backstretch while Sheer Delight (Evertte Clunis) set the fractions ahead of Supremasi, ridden by Tajay Suckoo.

Roman hugged the inside rails, saved ground around the half-mile (800m) turn, then threaded Blue Vinyl through on the fence in deep stretch. Supremasi looked home 50m out but Blue Vinyl’s well-timed ride told in the last strides. He got up in the nick of time to win by a head in the Overnight Allowance over one mile (1,600m). Final time: 1:37.3 (23.4 x 46.1 x 1:11.2 x 1:24.2). Intrestntimesahead finished third.

It was the second winner on the day for Roman as he earlier guided home the Peter-John Parsard conditioned Diesel Train to win the $820,000 Valbert Marlowe Memorial Cup over nine furlongs (1,800).

Trainer Jason DaCosta continued to show why he is the four-time defending champion conditioner when he posted four winners on the 10-race card.

DaCosta’s winners were Novio (Tevin Foster) in the second race; Formalist and Chocomo, both ridden by Robert Halledeen in the sixth and seventh race, respectively; and Maverick (Aaron Chatrie) in the 10th and final event.

Racing continues next Saturday.

— Ruddy Allen