Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

THE LIGHTLY weighted LA REINA used her pace to best advantage at Caymanas Park, yesterday, humbling leading 'Horse of the Year' contender DISTINCTLY IRISH in the Viceroy Trophy grade one feature over 1800 metres.

Installed a 6-5 second favourite in a small field of four, LA REINA, who had been on the receiving end of DISTINCTLY IRISH in her past two races, turned the tables under a cheeky ride from top apprentice Carlton Malcolm.

Racing in the familiar maroon and white silks of leading owner Elias Haloute, LA REINA disputed the early lead with rank outsider REIGNING HEROINE (20-1) before opening up, leaving the 1200-metre pole, at which stage DISTINCTLY IRISH was pushed out several lengths off the pace in third, followed by ALLIED-FORCE.

Feeble challenge

LA REINA turned for home with DISTINCTLY IRISH in hot pursuit on the outside, but his feeble challenge from below the distance was held by LA REINA, who beat him by 1 1/4 lengths, denying him a fourth consecutive win.

However, the Clifton Williams-bred five-year-old mare from the stables of Anthony 'Baba' Nunes had to survive a stewards inquiry, apparently for forcing jockey Winston Griffiths aboard 'Irish' to change course (outside to inside) when drifting out a bit in mid-stretch.

By Pat N' Jac out of Regina Savage, LA REINA ticked off her 11th win from 31 career starts and her second of the season, pushing her lifetime earnings to $4.4 million.

Earlier in the afternoon, the lightly raced PERFECT STEP (7-2) made all impressively to win the Knutsford Park Cup secondary feature over 1200 metres for native bred three-year-olds (non-winners of two).

Found another gear

Ridden by smart apprentice Jason Simpson for trainer Donovan Bruce, PERFECT STEP turned for home about three lengths clear of TANTESOLDE in the 13-strong field, then found another gear approaching the distance to win by 4 1/2 lengths from 2-1 favourite RIGGED TO WIN.

Owned by Thunderran Camp and bred by Howard Hamilton, PERFECT STEP, a bay colt by Alisios out of Diversion, has now won twice from only four career starts.

After eluding punters for 10 consecutive race days, the $13.4 million Pick-9 was caught by nine punters, each receiving a cool $1.45 million.

Apprentices Omar Walker and Javour Simpson rode two winners each, along with the sparingly-used jockey, Orville Beckford. Significantly, Beckford won aboard VIGOROUS (72) and 3-5 favourite DUE PROCESS, his first winners of the season.