Shanghai Pass lands PM Stakes

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

The consistent American horse, SHANGHAI PASS, snapped the winning streak of the progressive American filly, FLUFFY, at Caymanas Park yesterday, to win the 40th running of the Prime Minister's Stakes grade one feature over 2000 metres in fine style.

Offering odds of 2-1 in a field of five, SHANGHAI PASS, ridden by Panamanian jockey Ameth Robles for trainer Gary Subratie, chased and successfully challenged long-time leader and 3-5 favourite FLUFFY early in the straight, moving away to win by 5³/⁴ lengths.

MINISTEROFJUSTICE, who was held off the early pace in fourth, stayed on well from below the distance to pip FLUFFY for second, while last year's winner, HE'S REALLY OK, who raced prominently in third for a long way, finished fourth.

A five-year-old dark brown horse by Three Wonders out of China Spirit, SHANGHAI PASS is owned by the Houston Stables and bred by Carl Bowling. This was his first win since landing the grade one Chairman's Trophy over 1500 metres in May of last year. But Subratie said because of that win he has been burdened by heavy imposts in his races.

An hour of so before the race, Subratie disclosed: "They keep saying he is a bridesmaid, but today he will be the groom. I have tried something different and I believe that, given this easier pace, he should notch that overdue win."

After the race, Subratie said: "Robles was able to relax him in second and when he kicked in leaving the final bend it was all over."

MISS ROSE

State Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Senator Arthur Williams, was on hand to present the trophy on behalf of Prime Minister Bruce Golding, to Subratie.

Meanwhile, MISS ROSE, running at odds of 7-2 with the improving claiming apprentice Chalrick Budhai aboard, swept past long-time leader RUN SMILE RUN (2-1) approaching the distance to win the secondary feature on the holiday card, the 2010 Independence Day Stakes Trophy over 1600 metres.

The six-year-old mare, who was winning for the third time from eight starts this season, is trained by Dennis Lee for his wife, Faye.

Apprentice Aaron Chatrie, fresh from a two-day suspension, highlighted the 10-race programme with three winners in 4-5 favourite SAPPHIRE for trainer Anthony 'Baba' Nunes in the second race, stable-companion REAL MINISTER at 7-2 in the third and the Tony Kirlew-trained SKY FORCE (4-1), who was awarded the fifth race following the controversial disqualification of MOJITA JAM (9-5), ridden by Harriston Lewis for trainer Desmond Shand, in a driving finish.

Female apprentice Georgina Sergeon notched the 16th win of her short career aboard the in-form LATIN KING (5-2) in the fourth race over 1400 metres, erasing the all-time record for most wins of Jamaica's first female jockey Azel Cowie, who won her first race aboard HEARTESE in January 1992.

A product of the Jockeys' School, Sergeon has been riding since September 2 last year.