Hupomone makes all in GA ‘Sarge’ Bucknor Memorial feature
LEADING trainer Wayne DaCosta and second-placed Gary Subratie dominated the nine-race card at Caymanas Park yesterday with three winners each.
Not to be outdone, Omar Walker, chasing his fifth jockeys’ title, booted home a three-timer to move his win tally for the season to 50, while champion jockey Dane Nelson, who is second on 39, rode winless. Also on the programme, the claiming apprentice Kuri Powell rode his first double since becoming eligible to ride as an apprentice.
Trainer Subratie dominated the first part of the programme by saddling winners Misty in the fourth for owner/breeder Michros, Rose Bud in the fifth for owners and breeders Winners’ Syndicate, and Princess Andrea in the sixth for owner Dr Graham Brown. Walker had the leg up on all three. This was the first winner for Dr Brown, who is also a member of the Elite Bloodstock Limited group.
DaCosta opened the programme with the 10-1 chance, Fire Light, for owners by Elizabeth E DaCosta, Laurence E Heffes and Eric V Martin, and ridden by Dick Cardenas.
DaCosta then returned seven races later to win the $715,000 GA ‘Sarge’ Bucknor Memorial Cup Overnight Allowance feature, the penultimate race on the local programme, with the American-bred Hupomone.
Hupomone, who led unmolested from the off, was installed the 3-5 favourite. He then showed his appreciation by completing 1,000 metres straight in a fast time of 57.3 seconds. Cardenas, who also rode Fire Light sat motionless in the saddle while Hupomone charted the course to win from the fast-finishing 16-1 chance Principe, ridden by Aaron Chatrie, by 1 1/2 lengths while easing down.
It was the first win for Hupomone as a four-year-old from three starts.
Runjohnny Run, the 10-1 shot who chase relentlessly under jockey Richard Mairs but was passed by Principe some 30 metres out, had enough to finish another 1 1/4 lengths back third ahead of My Friend Lucy, who completed the frame partnered by Paul Francis in the field of 10.
Hupomone, a bay filly by Omega Code out of Blazing Fizz (Slew Gin Fizz) bred by Big C Farm in the USA was winning for the sixth time from eight career starts and earned $490,400 as the winner’s share for earnings of $2,511,500 lifetime.
To complete a triple and share the spotlight with Subratie, DaCosta closed the programme with the 2/1 bet, Power By Light for owner/breeder Alexander Haber and ridden by the claiming apprentice Romario Saunders.
