Raceday review — Saturday May 4, 2013

It was a field day for punters at Caymanas Park last Saturday with eight of 10 favourites obliging on the programme. Of these eight obliging favourites, six were odds on.

The day, however, began on a somewhat bleak note with the 1/9 favourite in the first race Rock Union failing to fire. It was therefore left to Jah Love with the ever popular Prince Holder in the saddle to make use of the non-performance of Rock Union to win her third race from 15 career starts. For the connections of Rock Union it was an afternoon to forget, as after returning from an injury and having done well at exercise, the three-year-old Classic aspirant simply did not run as expected, giving the impression that all is not well.

The anticipated 1/9 favourite in the second race Hupomone was a late non-starter (sick) clearing the track for the under achiever Potcheen at 4/5 to easily take home the spoils.

Perfect Neighbour, despite the rain and dark prevailing conditions, lit up the track with an excellent run in the third — a perfect warm-up race for his upcoming efforts in the Governor’s Cup and the Jamaica Derby. Perfect Neighbour’s win at 1/9 was pleasing as he displayed noticeable improvement.

Then it was time for the debut of Campesino from the barn of Phillip Feanny and what an entry by this three-year-old bay colt by Compadre-Yaella. He ran like a seasoned campaigner fighting off rivals before sprinting clear in the straight for a facile victory at 1/9. Campesino has ability and is one to definitely watch. Maybe Feanny has found something special again. Only time will tell.

Military Move, the 6/5 favourite, then broke the stranglehold of the odds on favourites winning as they like with a fighting run in the fifth. Kudos to young apprentice Romario Saunders for sticking to his task, never flinching as he fought off the challenge of Prince Andrew with none other than Winston Griffiths in the saddle. Well done, young man!

Technocat at 4/5 and Lovetta Jones at even money duly took races six and seven before the long shot of the day Simply Outstanding broke the march of the favourites with a runaway victory in the eighth at the much appreciated odds of 3-1.

The ninth and tenth races were cases of same old, same old as Blast Them Away did just that followed by Mojito Jam in the night pan.

Blast Them Away was scoring his third win of the season from four outings and has now established himself as the most likely candidate to challenge St Cecelia in the future.

So it was a dream day for form players and there was little wonder all the exotic wagers were conquered by many punters.

NELSON/DACOSTA COMBINATION

The winning combination of jockey Dane Nelson and trainer Wayne DaCosta continued to roll on Saturday last. The duo was responsible for two wins Perfect Neighbour and Blast Them Away with Nelson going on to ride another winner to make it three for the day. Nelson, the reigning champion, is now just three behind this year’s leader Omar Walker in the jockey’s championship.

FOOTNOTES

Former champion jockey Percy Williams is riding again at the Park after a few years absence plying his trade abroad. Williams, who is well known for his mastery of getting horses out of the gate, is a welcomed addition to our jockey’s colony. Welcome back, Mr Percy.

On Saturday we welcomed jockey Laird Bailey to race riding in Jamaica. Bailey is a Jamaican who, for most of his professional career, has been riding in the Eastern Caribbean.