- Dennis CokePEACE AND LOVE (Allen Maragh) is an upset winner of yesterday's Lotto Classic.
Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
PEACE AND LOVE, ridden by Florida-based Allen Maragh for trainer Percy Hussey, scored a 33-1 upset in muddy conditions at Caymanas Park yesterday, capturing the $1.5 million Lotto Classic for the Governor's Cup over 2000m in fine style
Among his victims were howling 1-5 favourite MILLIMETRE, who passed the post 6 1/2 lengths third, but was promoted to second following a stewards' inquiry.
The Philip Feanny-trained colt, who had PEACE AND LOVE well beaten in the April 7 Track Price Plus 2000 Guineas over 1600 metres, found himself outpaced in the field of 15 native bred three-year-olds and only made mild headway (outside) in the straight.
PEACE AND LOVE, who revelled in the mud, came through on the inside approaching the distance to win by 4 1/2 lengths from the 55-1 outsider ECSTATIC with Charlie Scott riding for champion trainer Philip Feanny.
An inquiry was held into the running of the race and the grey ECSTATIC was subsequently disqualified and placed fourth for causing interference to long-time leader PREACH PREACHER 300 metres out. ECSTATIC also darted out sharply early in the straight and interfered with stable-companion MILLIMETRE.
At this stage, however, MILLIMETRE was not coming through with his effort and never looked likely to pass the lightly weighted ECSTATIC, let alone catch the winner.
With LADY CHATURA declared a late non-starter after breaking out of the gate, reducing the field to 15, it was the Wayne DaCosta-trained PREACH PREACHER (22-1) who made most from ECSTATIC, ESPRESSO and PHAREAL with MILLIMETRE and especially PEACE AND LOVE outpaced.
But PEACE AND LOVE made rapid headway to straighten within striking distance of the leaders in fifth, then ran on strongly in mid-stretch to win going away.
A three-year-old bay gelding by Bold Deamon out of Infinity, PEACE AND LOVE is owned by Veronica Charlton (wife of Cecil Charlton) and bred by the Orange Valley Estates Limited.
It was the second consecutive Governor's Cup winner for trainer Hussey who posted the ill-fated filly AERO STAR to win last year with his brother Charlie aboard.
This time around it was a bitter sweet occasion for Charlie. He was glad for his brother but would have preferred it the other way around. He summed up MILLIMETRE's below-par performance in a nutshell.
"He simply hated the mud. Things will be different come Derby Day," he said.
Brother Percy said he instructed jockey Maragh to ride PEACE AND LOVE from well off the pace and he followed this to the letter.
"He stays forever but has to be covered up for a stretch run to get the best results," said Percy, who is looking forward to the Derby with great anticipation. "I hope it rains again," he quipped.
Later in the afternoon, Charlie Hussey made amends aboard 3-2 favourite DEPUTY'S REPORT in the day's supporting feature, the Lotto Sprint over 1100 metres for top-class horses.
Also riding two winners were Maragh (Peace & Love, Cielo Mystique), Richard Mitchell (King Al, Marvelous One) and title-chasing apprentice Ramon Parish who joined the winless Wesley Henry at the top of the jockeys' championship on 41 winners.
