DaCosta sweep
The Wayne DaCosta pair of Fearless Samurai and She’s A Maneater have established themselves as leading contenders for the upcoming Classics after producing electrifying performances to win their respective Guineas Trials races in fine style at Caymanas Park yesterday.
Fearless Samurai, owned by Elizabeth DaCosta, turned on the pressure in deep stretch to take the 26th running of the $1.3-million Prince Consort Stakes (for colts and geldings only) by an ever-increasing three lengths, while the Winston Kong-owned She’s A Maneater, who got hindered twice during the race, came from far behind to capture the 26th running of $1.3- Thornbird Stakes (for fillies only) by three parts of a length.
Both Graded Stakes races, sponsored by Newport Mills Limited through their premier product Front Runner, the number one horse feed, were contested over 1,400 metres.
With Omar Walker in the irons, Fearless Samurai (Fearless Vision – Sayuri) was held neatly into second position behind leader Western Warrior (Wesley Henry aboard) as the Sir Howard Stakes winner Don Chassis (Shane Ellis astride) raced comfortably in third spot.
The order of the first three remained the same until leaving the half-mile when Walker let loose Fearless Samurai who drew alongside Western Warrior and at that point, it was clear who the winner was as Fearless Samurai accelerated and powered home, easing down in the end for a comfortable victory.
Western Warrior did well for second money ahead of Don Chassis in third and Dontae (Robert Halledeen up) in fourth. The final time was 1:26.0 minutes.
Earlier in the fillies’ section, She’s A Maneater (Natural Selection – Ahwhofah), ridden by Walker, wasn’t the best to leave the starting gates as she raced among the back markers as Marlene My Love (Dane Nelson up) led the 11-horse field over Great Faith (Aaron Chatrie aboard) and Khaleesi’s Revenge, under Percy Williams.
As the field headed towards the half-mile, Marlene My Love tried to increase the pace over rivals and at the same time She’s A Maneater hugged the inside rails and began to round horses.
Turning for home still somewhat off the pace and when all seemed lost with Money Magnet (Bebeto Harvey astride) picking up the lead in deep stretch and looking all over the winner, Walker produced his mount and She’s A Maneater responded well from the strong urging and got up in the nick of time to nip Money Magnet for an emphatic victory.
Bilingual (Linton Steadman up), who went five wide at the top of the lane, finished strongly for third ahead of the tiring Marlene My Love. The final time was a good 1:25.1 minutes.
“It is a very good feeling. I mean it is something that the entire stable have worked so hard for in winning the Guineas Trials double and I am very grateful for it,” DaCosta told the Jamaica Observer.
It was a pleasing day for DaCosta with a four-timer, as he had earlier saddled Little Big Horn (third race), giving Walker a triple and Paper Chaser (fifth race), ridden by Jevvanne Erwin. Racing continues next Saturday.