EIGHT HORSES CLAIMED ON SATURDAY
Eight horses were claimed on the 10-race programme at Caymanas Park on Saturday. Aquilo was claimed by Oneil Markland for himself from Andrew McDonald for $350,000; Persian Belle was claimed from Patrick Chang by Neive Graham for O’Shaun Connection for $350,000 and Wayne DaCosta lost Jack De Charmer to Maurice Crooks for Anthony Johnson and Maurice Crooks for $350,000 from the second race. St Bernard, who romped the fourth race was taken for $180,000 by Dave Girod acting as both trainer and owner from Lawrence Freemantle.
In the fifth race, DaCosta also lost Deo Volente for $500,000 to Renex Burrell acting as both trainer and owner and the Phillip Feanny-trained Prince Andrew was taken by Neive Graham for O’Shaun Connection for $550,000. Andrew McDonald took back Naturalfantasy for himself from Edward Hamilton for $180,000 and Yes We Will was claimed by Robert Alveranga for Donovan Russell from Rudolph Hardial for $180,000 from the 10th race.
BOY WONDER HITS TOP FORM
The Harry Parsard conditioned Boy Wonder was highly thought of as a two year but was plagued with injuries. The now three-year-old chestnut colt seems to have hit top form as he continues to show his true potential with some impressive performances. After been beaten by Insane Bolt on February 26, 2014, his only lost to date, Boy Wonder took an eight-month break and returned to win four consecutive races to boost his career stats to with five wins and one second place finish from six starts. His last victory came on Saturday when he outlasted a good field of Open Allowance horses going 1,400 metres. Ridden by Omar Walker, Boy Wonder (Traditional – Jamaica Dream) was slowly out of the starting gates but recovered quickly and caught up with the field at the 1,000-metre pole before drawing away approaching the home bend. Although shortening a bit in the final 100 metres, the chestnut colt had done enough to hold on for a two-and-a-half lengths victory over Uncle Taf, posting a fast time of 1:24:4 minutes behind splits 23:2, 46:1 and 1:10:3 minutes.
ONLY TWO APPRENTICES LEFT TO RIDE A WINNER
Of the 20 apprentice who started their riding careers on September 9, 2012, only two Kareem Richardson Garvey who is rarely seen in the saddle these days and Zac Meikle are yet to ride a winner. Leading the pack by a long way is Shamaree Muir with 91 winners up to the end of 2014. Muir no longer claims. Holding second with a massive surge in 2014 is O’Brien White with 52 winners. In the overall jockeys’ standing for 2014, White is the leading apprentice with 45 winners for fourth position behind champion Dane Nelson. On the apprentice list, three are tied on 46 winners each, Puja Lahoe, Orlando Foster, and Prince ‘Daggerman’ Holder. Holder, along with Lahoe have been off the boil in 2014.
View the original article here
From the horse"s mouth - Jan 2
