Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer
ALSAFRA, with Brian Harding aboard, on her way to a historic victory in the RJR St Leger at Caymanas Park yesterday. The chestnut filly claimed the triple crown.

Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

THE GUINEAS and Derby winner, ALSAFRA, stamped herself as the best three-year-old filly since the 1984 'Horse of the Year' THORNBIRD, completing a unique Triple Crown in winning the season's final classic, the RJR Jamaica St Leger over 2000 metres at Caymanas Park yesterday.

Ridden as usual by two-time champion jockey Brian Harding, who flew in from his base in Trinidad for the ride, ALSAFRA once again underlined her superiority over the top three-year-old colt ROYAL IMAGE, beating him by three lengths - the same margin as in the June 14 Digicel Derby.

Indeed, the 82nd running of the St. Leger was a virtual replay of the Derby as the same three horses (Alsafra, Royal Image and Josie Wales) finished in the same order in a field of 10 native-bred three-year-olds.

By virtue of her Derby win, ALSAFRA, who also won the Oaks, was installed a 3-4 favourite to become only the third filly in the annals of local racing to win the Triple Crown, behind the legendary MONEY MOON in 1937 and SIMPLY MAGIC in 2002.

Heavily backed

The 2000 Guineas winner ROYAL IMAGE, with former champion jockey Shane Ellis riding for top-line trainer Anthony 'Baba' Nunes, was heavily backed as the 7-5 second favourite, but failed in his bid to turn the tables.

WHEEL N DEAL, who decked his rider at the halfway stage in the Derby, was backed down to 7-1 and led from the 64-1 outsider PLEASURE FLIGHT and ROYAL IMAGE in the early stages, before the latter was sent through approaching the 1200-metre marker. ALSAFRA, who also raced close up, was quickly sent in chase and drew alongside ROYAL IMAGE passing the half mile.

Both were still eyeball to eyeball passing the 600-metre pole, but ALSAFRA on the outside was definitely the more relaxed at this stage. And it came as no surprise when she circled ROYAL IMAGE approaching the final bend.

Huge cheers

Coming a bit wide into the straight, ALSAFRA galloped into a two-length lead over ROYAL IMAGE approaching the distance and although appearing for a stride or two a furlong out to lose her rhythm, allowing ROYAL IMAGE to rally a bit, Harding steadied her nicely under the left-hand stick and she found extra to win decisively against the backdrop of huge cheers.

Owned by Sherman Clachar and Norman Gordon and bred by Henry Jaghai, ALSAFRA, by Legal Process out of Tee Gee Vee, was saddled by Fitznahum Williams who controls a small string of horses. Quiet and unassuming, Williams is enjoying a dream season and, as far as he's concerned, the fairytale is not about to end.

Caribbean Classic

"I told you she was special and now that the classic season is over, there are still some major grade-one races to win and we might go to the Caribbean Classic in Puerto Rico as well. This filly has given me great joy and I think I can claim some of the credit," said Williams, who posted a second winner on the card in 8-5 favourite BDELLIUM with Harding riding for the same owners.

Harding rode three winners on the 12-race programme, while TOBAGO, running at 9-1 under Clive Lynch, made all convincingly to win the RJR Classic (overnght allowance) over 1500 metres by 4 3/4 lengths.

Meanwhile, the fantastic Pick-9 eluded punters for the 16th consecutive raceday and the carryover to next Saturday stands at a whopping $27.9 million. The large crowd bet a near record $54.2 million.