Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
DOUBLE RALLY romped the season's first two-year-old race for the Starters' Trophy at Caymanas Park yesterday, winning the 400-metre race by 6-1/4 lengths.
Going off at odds of 4-1 with apprentice Andron Findley aboard, DOUBLE RALLY was smartly away from the number five post position and proceeded to make all, streaking away from rivals over the last 200 metres for an emphatic victory, equalling the track record of 23.4 in the process.
In the battle for second, WIND JAMMER at 8-1 held on well for second after chasing the winner throughout. The chestnut filly had three-quarter length to spare over the even money favourite, NO GUT NO GLORY, who was just ahead of highly fancied ROYAL MEDIC (5-2) under champion jockey Trevor Simpson in fourth.
CONFIDENT OF WIN
A chestnut colt by Market Rally out of the Slick Trick mare Double Trouble, DOUBLE RALLY, who was administered Lasix on this his debut, is owned by Lopez Dream Stables and trained by Barrington Ramble.
"He's a nice colt who was quite forward in condition and I was confident he would win today," said Rambally. "Still, it wasn't all smooth sailing bringing him to the wicket, as he was affected by a bleeding problem and this had to be rectified. We scoped him and put him on Lasix and this had the desired effect," added Ramble.
Later in the afternoon, PHANTOM J (3-1) made virtually all in landing the co-feature event for the Birnamwood Trophy (claiming $270,000-$230,000) over 1300 metres.
PHANTOM J WINS
Ridden by Trinidadian jockey Brian Harding for owner/trainer Dennis Lee, PHANTOM J disputed the early lead with 13-1 chance FRIENDLY EXPRESS until opening up a bit, leaving at the half-way stage to win by 1-1/2 lengths from fast-finishing SEA LAD (5-1), who got the better of BOUND FOR GLORY for second in the nine-horse field.
The 2-1 favourite SIR KISSON LAL, who experienced a rough passage in the backstretch, stayed on to finish fourth.
Meanwhile, top five trainer Richie Todd highlighted the day's racing with three winners. These were 4-5 favourite THE BAR-BARIAN in the first race over the round five course, BLESSED CAROLYN at 2-1 in the third over 1500 metres for maiden three-year-olds and SAMFIE at 3-1 in the closing race over 1200 metres.
Jockey Larris Allen, who rode BLESSED CAROLYN and SAM-FIE, along with Simpson (PRIME SUSPECT, DEAR-DREAMER) rode two winners each, while trainer Anthony Smith saddled two in SHE'S A DIAMOND at 7-2 and and 13-1 outsider CLEVER STAR.
Ridden by in-form apprentice Dalton Brown, SHE'S DIAMOND (5-2) produced a terrific rail run to catch 13-1 shot QUIET STORM within shades of the wire in the sixth race over the straight five course.
