IN the opening event of 10, odds-on favourite Ballistic Missile was declared a late non-starter, having incurred an injury at the starting gate. Ridden by Shane Richardson for the first of his two trips to the winners’ enclosure, Undisclosdlocation (6-1) was declared by second-generation trainer Gresford Smith and made most of the less-exacting opportunity to score by 2½ lengths over the eight rivals who sprinted the four-furlong straight event for $500k claimers.

Race two, an eight-furlong Restricted Allowance III, went to Lockdown (5-1) by a margin of two lengths, with Demar Williams executing the riding assignment for Ryan Darby but who had to survive an objection lodged by third past the post Slam Sharp’s Bebeto Harvey.

Three parts of an hour later Shane Richardson, riding My Eclipse for trainer Alford Brown, confirmed his riding double as race three — a Restricted Allowance V over eight furlongs, with the four-year-old progeny of Sensational Slam scoring by just under two lengths.

Title-chasing reinsman Tevin Foster, for the first of his two, gave a classic display of front-running tactics aboard Lawrence Freemantle’s Victorious Links (7-2) in the Restricted Stakes race four over seven furlongs to prevail by 1¼ lengths over all-the-way pursuer Giving Thanks (Romane Gordon). Both fillies were failed 2026 Classic aspirants.

Race five, a divided Restricted Maiden Condition for three-year-olds whose career earnings were less than $280k, was won by Havemewaitin (3-2) — ridden by claimer Jaheim Anderson for former three-time champion Anthony Nunes — cantered over the 5½ furlongs to score by nine lengths.

Trainer Jason DaCosta (left) with his charge Girvano (Tevin Foster) in the winners’ enlosure. (Photo: Karl Mclarty)

Always Bourbon (4-5) justified its market status with a hard-fought victory in the Restricted Allowance II seven-furlong sixth even for the Louis Hitchins Memorial Cup. Trained by Ian Alexander, the three-year-old grey colt, unplaced in two runs in the United States, worked exceptionally well for his local debut. It was vintage Paul Francis, whose entire riding skill set was required to score by a head over long-time leader Maverick (Robert Halledeen), eventually disqualified from second.

The Open Allowance race seven had a surprising outcome as Desert Of Malibu (USA), under top weight, was first past the post from in front for the five-furlong round trip by a neck but was subsequently disqualified and placed third for getting into the path of chasing 1-2 favourite California Crown inside the last furlong.

Dane Dawkins failed to keep a straight course aboard Desert Of Malibu (USA) inside the final furlong, which was deemed intimidation as well as interference. The major slice of the purse was therefore awarded to Rainsville (7-2), saddled by Rohan Crichton and guided by two-time and reigning champion Raddesh Roman for the opener of a riding double. Roman had his second confirmed in race eight, Division II of the Restricted Maiden Condition, which went by just under one length to King Cush (7-2), saddled by owner Ricardo Brown.

Race nine, the featured Kenneth Mattis OD Memorial Overnight Allowance, went as most expected to
Girvano (USA) — the 2-5 favourite saddled by four-time and reigning champion Jason DaCosta — who cantered over the extended, nine-furlong trip to score by 11 lengths and confirm the double riding success of Tevin Foster. The Restricted Allowance IV closing event was won with a 2¼-length margin by Hazelnut (3-2), with Delroy Beharie aboard for trainer Adrian Prince.

The Training Feat Award is given to Ian Alexander who presented Always Bourbon (USA) in forward enough condition to execute the Best Winning Gallop with speed, courage and stamina in responding to the superb effort at the reins by Paul Francis, who takes the Jockeyship Award.