It's New Kingston

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

The consistent American-bred 4-y-o gelding NEW KINGSTON produced a terrific last-furlong run under champion jockey Omar Walker to win the George HoSang Trophy over the straight-five course at Caymanas Park yesterday.

Installed an even-money favourite in a field of 10 overnight allowance horses, NEW KINGSTON was unable to go the early pace on the outside of the field as his fleet-footed stable companion MR SKILL (2-1) led in mid-track from THE CHIEF and HIGH ROLLER in fast splits (22.3, 45.4).

Although still outpaced as they galloped past the quarter pole at which stage MR SKILL was being tackled by THE CHIEF, NEW KINGSTON found his best stride a furlong out, storming through in the last 100 metres to beat THE CHIEF and TRIPLE ACCOUNT (heads on) by 11/4 lengths in the fairly good time of 59.2.

Co-owned by Elizabeth DaCosta, Winston Kong, Raymond Rousseau and G. Dulal Whiteway, NEW KINGSTON, who hails from the all-conquering stables of champion trainer Wayne DaCosta, has now won four races from 12 career starts and stakes of approximately $2 million.

"He's a run-on sprinter who is improving and will win his fair share of races," said DaCosta. "It will be interesting to see how far he goes in the months ahead."

Walker followed up with a double

Walker followed up his three winners for DaCosta last Wednesday with a double comprising NEW KINGSTON and the 9-5 favourite BURNING CIELO, who romped the fifth race over 1400 metres. The three-time champion jockey leads the standings with 23 wins - five ahead of closest rival Paul 'Country' Francis, who also rode two winners on the nine-race programme.

These were BROTHER TO BROTHER at 4-1 in the third race over 1200 metres and 3-5 favourite QUATRO MORI for in-form trainer Ryan Darby in race No.3 of the CTL Claiming Series over 1100 metres.

Also riding two winners was Oral Bennett - FULL FARE at 7-1 for trainer Barry Rambally and the Albert Chong-trained KING OF THE TRACK at 12-1 in the nightpan, both easy winners.

Meanwhile, first-season trainer Roy Matthews, who is popularly called 'Lambada', saddled his first winner when LUX at 3-1 won the day's first race over 1300 metres in dramatic fashion.

LUX, who was always up with the leaders, lost her stirrup irons on entering the straight, giving way to MYSTERY MAN on the inside rails. However, jockey Wilbert Gobay never gave up, applying the right hand stick to the back and the front of the horse, regaining the lead for an incredible win.

Matthews was among 19 trainers who graduated from the JRC training course in August of last year. He started training on September 2.