After doing some major front-running to lay a solid foundation for victory, the 4-1 shot Awesome Sensation rallied late in the event to win the $516,600 Aston Commock Memorial Trophy feature at Caymanas Park yesterday.

Ridden with a certain aplomb by the champion claiming apprentice Shamaree Muir for trainer Anthony Nunes, Awesome Sensation, who looked out of it turning for home third, gathered momentum along the rails to first dismiss stablemate and 3-5 favourite Star Flyer, and then the 2-1 chance Eastwood to win by 1 1/4 lengths easing down.

It was the first time Awesome Sensation was venturing beyond 1,600 metres in the race, and ran 1,700 metres in a time of 1:46.4 minutes.

Not too surprised that his second choice Awesome Sensation won the event, trainer Nunes said: “I thought she ran well. It was the first time she was winning over a distance of ground, but we had expected Star Flyer to win. She has her issues, so it was good to have a back-up.”

Awesome Sensation led the field until giving way to Star Flyer approaching the home turn but found extra when the leaders didn’t after setting down for the drive.

Eastwood, ridden by Paul Francis, pointed at the top of the stretch run tracked by Priestking, ridden by Omar Walker, after Star Flyer gave in under Dick Cardenas. However, after Awesome Sensation went by neither Eastwood nor Priestking had the legs to seriously press home the earlier challenge against the eventual winner and Eastwood had to settle for second money with Priestking, a 5-1 betting option, another 3 1/4 lengths farther back third. Star Flyer then faded into fourth position to complete the frame of seven.

Awesome Sensation, owned by Anastasia Stables, is a dark bay four-year-old filly by Vanadium out of November Lace (Peaks And Valleys) bred at YS (1955) Ltd and was winning for the fourth occasion from 26 career starts. She earned $282,050 as the winner’s share for earnings of $2,562,550 lifetime.

Meanwhile, trainer Delroy Spencer took the spotlight with two wins — Alana’s Gold in the sixth race, and Pretty Ting in the 10th event.

Omar Walker and Dane Nelson shared riding honours with two wins each.

Walker’s winners were Merovingian Queen and Alana’s Gold, while Nelson was successful astride Edison and Pretty Ting.