HUNTER’S RIDE

After a string of disappointing efforts Hunter’s Ridge finally got it right in a five-year-old and upward Claiming ($180,000-$150,000) spread that included native-bred six-year-olds and upward (non-winners of two) and native-bred six-year-olds and upward (maidens) over 4 furlongs (800m).

With Anthony Thomas doing riding honours for trainer Steven Todd, Hunter’s Ridge broke off behind the leaders and watched as Money Marshall (Jawara Steadman), Hail Mary (Ramon Nepare), Estalita (Roger Hewitt), and Storming (Paul Francis) dictated early fractions.

As the runners sorted themselves out passing the dummy rails and onto the main track, Hunter’s Ridge surged to the front ahead of Money Marshall and Flying Bullet. The six-year-old dark bay/brown horse went on to win the race by 5½ lengths ahead of Flying Bullet and Storming. The final time was 51.2 (24.0).

POWER RANKING

Power Ranking continued to show noticeable progression after a fighting win in a Restricted Allowance III event for native-bred four-year-olds and upward (non-winners of four) and imported four-year-olds and upward (non-winners of three) over 7 furlongs (1,400m).

The Richard Azan trainee sat behind the leaders in fifth position down the backstretch as Freedom Street (Jordan Barrett) led ahead of Our Angel (Robert Halledeen), Tekapunt (Roger Hewitt), and Babylike, the mount of Anthony Thomas.

Approaching the half-mile (800m), Power Ranking started to get in his groove and began to round horses as Freedom Street continued to lead ahead of Our Angel. Power Ranking hugged the inside rails and cut the turn entering the straight, taking dead aim at the leaders.

Power Ranking responded well inside the final furlong (200m) and got up in the nick of time to beat Tekpunt and Freedom Street on the line by three quarters of a length. After splits of 23.4 x 47.2 x 1:12.0 the final time was recorded at 1:27.2.

PATIENCE PAYS OFF FOR

Patience paid off for the connections of Ha Gow Siu Mei as the bay colt picked up his second career win in a Restricted Allowance V contest for native-bred four-year-olds and upward (non-winners of two) and imported four-year-olds and upward (maidens) over 5 furlongs (1,000m) straight.

Trained by Anthony Nunes and ridden by Linton Steadman, Ha Gow Siu Mei sat off the pace in the early exchanges as Storm A Come (Robert Halledeen) led the field ahead of Wowtastic (Tevin Foster), and Airstream (Dane Dawkins). Ha Gow Siu Mei and Keturah (Jordan Barrett) came into the mix approaching the dummy rails, making the race a way battle for control.

However, inside the final furlong of the race Ha Gow Siu Mei found top stride and sprinted clear from the field to win going away by 3¼ lengths at the wire. Airstream finished second and North London (Roger Hewitt) came home in third place. The final time was 1:02.1.

CASHBERT KHWALSINGH OFF THE MARK IN 2023

Veteran trainer Cashbert Khwalsingh saddled his first winner for 2023 when his charge Thegoodlife made all in a Restricted Allowance IV event for native-bred five-year-olds and upward (non-winners of three) and imported five-year-olds and upward (non-winners of two) over 7 furlongs (1,400m).

Thegoodlife, ridden by Jordan Barrett, shot to the front at the off and held the lead ahead of Genealogy (Oneil Mullings), Slamsilano (Samantha Fletcher), and ZD Eye (Roger Hewitt) down the backstretch. While under pressure from Slamislano, Thegoodlife maintained her steady gallop well until navigating the half-mile (800m) turn, when she upped the tempo and began to draw clear from rivals approaching the distance.

Thegoodlife turned on the pressure in deep stretch and powered her away to a 4¾ length at the line. Traditional Boy (Dane Dawkins) finished in second place and Maya (Anthony Thomas) came home in third place. The final time for the race was 1-31.2 (24.3 x 49.0 x 1:15.0).

SEVEN HORSES CLAIMED

Renex Burrell claimed Flying Bullet for himself for $180,000 from the first race.

In the third race Ralph Porter claimed Mine That Cat for owner Unruly Connection from Carl Anderson; Phillip Lee claimed Blood Song for owner Phillip Edwards from Marlon Anderson; Steven Todd claimed Donalmighty for owner Penile from Dennis Thwaites; and Patrick Fong claimed Denbigh Life for owner Samora Clarke from Dennis Thwaites. All horses from the third event were claimed for $750,000 each.

Victor Williams claimed Devonte’ for owner Dwayne Blake for $400,000 from Gary Crawford; while Errol Waugh claimed Action Run for owner David Reid, also for $400,000, from the sixth race.