Mamma Mia goes post to post in Only One for Me trophy

MAMMA MIA made all the running with Robert Halledeen to land yesterday’s six-furlong Cash Pot ‘Only One for Me’ trophy for two-year-olds at odds of 5-1, repeating her win over MOJITO to stay unbeaten in two starts.

The Soul Warrior-Princess Geeta speedster led easily, upstaging stablemate THALITA and LEGIT BOSS, who were expected to be disputing the lead after their battle in the recent Princess Popstar Trophy at five and a half furlongs.

Similar to his loss on debut to MAMMA MIA, MOJITO, the lone colt in the six-horse field, was again slowly into stride before making his bid to go second three furlongs out.

Looming large off the home turn, MOJITO tried getting on terms with MAMMA MIA throughout the stretch run but was safely held by the filly, who showed good battling qualities to clock 1:13.2, winning by a length and a half.

A half-sister to 2018 Oaks winner Fayrouz, MAMMA MIA added $1.7 million to Jason DaCosta’s lead atop the trainers’ stakes standings.

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Halledeen, fresh off his first stint in North America, was also aboard Gary Subratie’s DUKE, who outclassed rivals to easily win the Cash Pot ‘Super Dash’ trophy for Open Allowance runners.

Breaking DUKE sharply in the five-furlong sprint, Halledeen had the six-year-old grey pressing GO DEH GIRL from the off before taking over three furlongs out.

Asked to quicken off the turn, DUKE pulled clear of his seven rivals, leaving LABAN to win the battle for second ahead of CURLIN’S AFFAIR, stopping the clock in 59.3.

Paul Francis also rode two winners on the 11-race card, booting home outsiders KAY BOY (13-1) and PHOENIX RISEN (8-1) in the sixth and ninth races, respectively.

Racing continues this afternoon with a 10-race card.