TO say that Panamanian Dick Cardenas is in the best form of his riding career would be an understatement of quite massive proportion.

On a long day at the Park yesterday, Cardenas in two races — the eighth and the ninth — ignited those in attendance with a superb display from the pigskin. Riding the Wayne DaCosta trained Rum Punch in the eighth over seven-and-a-half furlongs, Cardenas was well off the pace, before bringing the progeny of Deputy Report with such a well timed run in the straight it was a beauty to behold.

In a ‘dogfight’ with Princess Shaniel (Shane Ellis), Cardenas remained flat in the saddle as he got there in time to win by a short head in a time of 1:32.3. Princess Shaniel was second with Royal Vibes third.

As if this was not enough, the Panamanian shifted position on Ellis in the ninth, an Overnight Allowance event, choosing to bring his mount Deo Volente on the inside rails in the straight as Ellis on Argument Done was on the outside.

It did not matter, as

the now supremely confident Cardenas, pumping like a motor with his left hand, got Deo Volente to give an extra effort which pushed him to victory. Second was Argument Done with New Kingston third. Cardenas, again the winner, by a short head.

All was not lost for Ellis on the day as the former champion rode a triple, Force De Jour in the first and Madam Rodam in the tenth and Rock ‘A’ Way in the nightcap.

The highest rated race of the 12 on offer was the eleventh, an Open Allowance event over the five straight course where Kipling Weekend (Paul Francis) made it three in a row. Kipling Weekend got home by a neck over Uppa Tune (Shamaree Muir) and Traditional Prince (Prince Holder) in a very fast 57 seconds.