Lifeisjustforliving, Gabiwitzo land Guineas Trials
LIFEISJUSTFORLIVING established himself as a leading Classic hope after cantering from gate to wire to win the $1,300,000 Prince Consort Stakes trial stakes co-feature by a crushing 9 1/2 lengths at Caymanas Park yesterday.
Earlier in the fillies Guineas trial stakes, Sherman Clachar-owned Gabiwitzo, trained by Fitznahum Williams, upset her more fancied rivals to win the $1,300,000 Thornbird Stakes. Ridden by Carlton Malcolm, Gabiwitzo, a bay filly bred at Argyll Farms by Pat N Jac out of Royal Grind by Artic Groom, ran 1,400 metres in 1:26.4 to beat the 9-1 shot Soca Party under Wesley Henry.
Ridden by Omar Walker, Lifeisjustforliving ran 1,400 metres in a time of 1:25.2, dictating terms with fractions of 23.4, 34.3, 46.3, 58.3 and 1:11.1 to keep his unbroken streak of wins intact after three races in the seven-horse field for native-bred three-year-old colts and geldings.
Junior Minister, partnered by claiming apprentice Aaron Chatrie, finished second at odds of 16-1, the 6-1 bet Krptogram with Dick Cardenas in the saddle was third and Trial Lawyer, well supported at 4-1, completed the frame under Jevvanne Erwin.
Walker took Lifeisjustforliving out of gate seven smartly to take the lead using his horse’s natural speed and even before they settled he was challenged by Sulamani and Rolex on the outside, but as they came within half a length Walker let out a notch to hold the advantage. He then began to lengthen his strides appreciably leaving the 800-metre pole.
From then on Lifeisjustforliving left the field to fight for the minor placings, only receiving four intermittent slaps from the right-hand whip of Walker in the final 200 metres just to remind his mount that he was in a race. Being reminded Lifeisjustforliving then increased his gallop to stroll away for his consummate win.
“I must say that I’m very pleased with his performance. He is basically a sprinter with class, a lot of class and I noticed in his last two runs when he turns up the straight he opens up, which is a very good sign, and even though he does not effectively get the mile, they will only catch him within shades of the wire,” DaCosta said.
Owned by Church Pen Farm, Lifeisjustforliving, a chestnut gelding by Region Of Merit out of Bold Queen (Cannon Shell) was bred at Orange Valley Estates Ltd and he earned $709,800 as the winner’s share to increase earnings to $1,705,800 lifetime.