LOVE DUB MAKES AMENDS

Love Dub, who was a disqualified winner last time, made no mistake this time around in a native-bred four-year-old and upwards (non-winners of three) and imported four-year-olds and upwards (non-winners of two) travelling 5½ furlongs (1,100m).

Trained by Gary Subratie, Love Dub did everything wrong on last when drifting out to make contact with Josh in deep stretch in a 5-furlong (1000m) call. The bay filly had her number taken from first place as a 17-1 upset winner.

Now going a half-furlong (100m) longer and champion jockey Dane Dawkins replacing Paul Francis, Love Dub got a clean break and settled just behind Gracefully Made (Chris Mamdeen) and Xceptional Babz (Anthony Thomas) going into the half-mile (800m) turn. Love Dub continued to bide her time on the inside rails, and with a clear run in deep stretch she powered away from rivals to win convincingly by a length.

Whisky (Tevin Foster) came from far behind runners to get second place ahead of A Gift From Ben (Prince Holder) who finished in third place. After splits of 23.0 x 47.1, the final time was recorded at 1:08.3.

DALTON SIRJUE OFF THE MARK IN 2023

Trainer Dalton Sirjue saddled his first winner in 2023, after his charge Green Gold Rush easily won a three-year-old and upwards Optional Claiming ($250,000-$200,000) spread that also included native-bred six-year-olds and upwards (non-winners of three) and imported six-year-olds and upwards (non-winners of two) at 7 furlongs (1,400m).

With champion jockey Dane Dawkins in the saddle Green Gold Rush disputed the early lead with Willodeen (Sadiki Blake) down the backstretch before settling passing the 5-furlong (1000m) marker. Willodeen continued to lead the runners in the half-mile turn until Dawkins asked his mount to go, at which point Green Gold Rush surged to the front approaching the distance and brought the field into the lane at a merry clip.

Green Gold Rush went about his business on a canter to the winning post. The six-year-old bay gelding won by 6 lengths ahead of Doctor Grey (Tevin Foster) and Whatever (Roger Hewitt). The final time for the race was 1:31.4 (25.0 x 50.0 x 1:16.3).

MILKMAN

Seven-year-old grey gelding Milkman easily brushed aside rivals in a three-year-old and upwards Optional Claiming ($550,000-$450,000) event for native-bred six-year-olds and upwards (non-winners of 4) and imported six-year-olds and upwards (non-winners of three) over 5 furlongs round, to give trainer Dennis Pryce his first winner for the 2023 racing season.

Milkman, ridden by the in-form Tevin Foster, raced in third place just behind stablemate Casual Affair (Oneil Mullings) and Jon P (Samantha Fletcher) when the gates opened. Going into the turn (800m), the top three pulled away from the rest of the field as they disputed the lead entering the straight.

Casual Affair gave up his challenge in deep stretch as Milkman surged to the front, going on to win by 4½ lengths in a final time of 1:03.1 with splits of 24.0 x 48.0..

Jon P held on to finish second ahead of the fast-finishing Bold Sami, under Anthony Allen.

EQUIPMENT CHANGE THE DIFFERENCE FOR

Running with the tongue-tie on, Regal and Royal after many attempts finally got the job done in a native-bred five-year-old and upwards (non-winners of four), and an imported five-year-old and upwards (non-winners of three) call going 7 furlongs.

Regal and Royal, trained by Gary Griffiths and ridden by Oshane Nugent, broke well at the start and sat in third position down the backstretch behind JJ Warrior (Aaron Chatrie) and Curlin’s Fight (Dane Dawkins). The five-year-old bay horse maintained his gallop until navigating the half-mile turn when he hit the front.

Entering the lane and with no real challenger coming forward, Regal and Royal went on to win by a length and three quarters. Ianzha Links (Abigail Able) was second while Katalina (Tevin Foster) finished third in a final time of 1:28.2.

FOUR HORSES CLAIMED

Four horses were claimed on the nine-race programme.

In the second race, Norman Smith claimed Doctor Grey for owner Charles Walsh for $250,000 from Delroy Waugh while Steven Todd claimed Whatever for owner Rosdore, also for $250,000, from Ryan Williams.

In the fourth race Dennis Pryce lost both of his runners, Casual Affair and Milkman, in the claiming box for $550,000 each. Ralph Porter claimed Casual Affair for owner Lincoln Morgan, and Steven Todd claimed Milkman for owner Garth Samuels.