THE 19th running of the $1,066,000 Hot Line Stakes went as scripted with the 1-2 favourite Olympic Prospect winning the Guineas prep event at Caymanas Park yesterday.

It was not an impressive win by any means but Olympic Prospect was able to get the job done in a business-like manner against what turned out to be a moderate field of runners. Ridden by Omar Walker for trainer Gary Subratie, on a slow track, Olympic Prospect ran 1,200 metres in a time of 1:15.2 to get home ahead of her closest rival Selectabook by a decent 3 1/2 lengths.

Olympic Prospect, running in her first Guineas prep with early April set for the Guineas races seemed to run below expectations but it was a time that trainer Subratie was not too worried about, and he explained: “She did what we expected her to do and even though she appeared to be coming back a bit in the drive we expect her to improve on that performance as she continues her preparations.”

Running for the first time as a three-year-old in the age-group Restricted Allowance (NW2) for native-bred fillies, Olympic Prospect did not show the early dash which was demonstrated in her debut run on December 22 last year.

Following the instruction of trainer Subratie, Walker got a good break, one which seemed faster than he anticipated and almost left the jockey in the gates. After this, he then settled the filly to run in fourth position as the Richard Azan-trained Leanne under claiming apprentice Jemar Jackson lead at a brisk clip. However, with 100 metres remaining Olympic Prospect began to round rivals to take the lead entering the final 600 metres and after rounding the final quarter bend began to lengthen her strides and it was quite clear that her rivals would not get back to her.

Probably Olympic Prospect did not lay out in a manner that her rider had anticipated and began to shorten her steps but she had done enough to coast home comfortably ahead of the 5-1 chance Selectabook, ridden by Shane Ellis, who edged another 5-1 shot, Lady Abhijita, ridden by champion jockey Dane Nelson, by half of a length for second. The 12-1 bet, Minnie Sunshine, ridden by Andre Martin then completed the frame in the field of nine.

Owned by Houston Stables, Olympic Prospect, a bay filly by Vanadium out of the Olympio mare Golden Olympio, bred by YS (1955) Ltd), was winning for the second time from three career starts and earned $582,000 as the winner’s share for a bankroll of $1,155,400 lifetime.

Meanwhile Wayne DaCosta was the top performing trainer with two wins while Nelson rode his second consecutive three-timer to take riding honours. He now rejoins Omar Walker at the top of the jockeys’ standings on 17 wins each.

Nelson opened the card with Classy Prospect and also booted home The Legacy in the fourth both for DaCosta. His third win was aboard the 2-1 shot Bredda Papa in the second race for trainer Paul Smith.