Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer
CASH POT, a chance ride for Oneil Mullings, romps the eighth race at Caymanas Pary yesterday. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer
FOUR-YEAR-old filly RIO INFINITO was rewarded for her consistency at Caymanas Park yesterday, coming through a furlong out to win the overnight allowance feature for the Gerry Skelton Memorial Trophy in fine style.
Installed a 4-1 third favourite in a field of eight, RIO INFINITO, who is trained by Gary Subratie for Senator and Minister Without Portfolio in the Finance Ministry, Don Wehby, of Oakridge Farms, RIO INFINITO won by 3 1/2 lengths from 7-2 chance FREE FALL who got up in the nick of time to relegate the fleet-footed favourite MR SKILL to third.
MR SKILL with champion jockey Omar Walker riding for top trainer Wayne DaCosta, was installed a howling favourite at 3-5.
But after leading in fast splits (22.4, 45.3) into the straight, he surprisingly came under pressure approaching the distance from RIO INFINITO, who chased him relentlessly.
RIO INFINITO, the mount of lightweight apprentice Javour Simpson, disposed of MR. SKILL a furlong out, then moved away for an easy win.
WORKING IMAGE
Bred by the Orange Valley Estates Limited, RIO INFINITO, a dark bay filly by Al's River Cat out of the Peacemaker mare Infinity, has now won five races from 27 career starts and $2.5 million in stakes.
Earlier in the afternoon, WORKING IMAGE, running as the 2-5 favourite under former champion Shane Ellis, made all impressively to win the opening Terremoto Trophy co-feature over the round-five course, this for native-bred two-year-olds.
WORKING IMAGE cruised into the straight ahead of highly-fancied CALL OF THE WILD (Walker up) and beat her by all of 7 3/4 lengths in a field of five.
A bay colt by Image Maker out of Working Number, WORKING IMAGE is unbeaten in two starts. He is trained by Anthony 'Baba' Nunes for leading owner Elias Haloute.
NELSON STARS
Meanwhile, Dane Nelson and not Omar Walker is the hot jockey at Caymanas Park in recent weeks.
While Walker went winless yesterday and was restricted to only one winner on Friday (Emancipation Day), Nelson followed up his sparkling three-timer on Friday with a cool double yesterday.
His winners were WE WILL SEE at odds of 11-1 for trainer Robert Darby Sr. in the seventh race along with 9-5 favourite SINGINGINTHERAIN for trainer Dwight Chen in the eighth race for maiden three-year-olds.
Ever since his split with champion trainer Wayne DaCosta early last month, Nelson has been riding like a tiger, and for a variety of trainers. He holds down second position in the standings with 65 winners - 22 adrift of Walker.
Javour Simpson also rode two winners in RIO INFINITO and MAGNIFICO at 9-1 for trainer Patrick Lynch in the fourth race.
Gary Subratie saddled two winners in RIO INFINITO and 4-5 favourite TASSY'S WHIP to lead the trainers.
The cluster of recent race meets continues next Wednesday (Indepen-dence Day) with the $1.1 million Prime Minister's Stakes (grade one) over 2000 metres. Seven entries have been received, including top contenders MAJOR MAYER, RUM TALK and ALLIEDFORCE.
