Regal Sensation storms to victory
Published:Thursday | August 19, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer
The improving three-year-old filly REGAL SENSATION produced a devastating last furlong run to win the 3-y-o and up overnight allowance feature over 1300 metres at Caymanas Park yesterday.
Hunting her second consecutive win, REGAL SENSATION, running at odds of 4-1 with back-to-form Dane Nelson aboard, won by a neck from 9-1 chance BEAUTIFUL SPACE under champion jockey Omar Walker in a field of eight.
The even-money favourite JAYLEN and REGGAE ROCK had a battle royal for the lead throughout the backstretch, ahead of DOLLA WIN and the 8-5 second favourite MEELO.
JAYLEN, running on the rails on a muddy surface, came under pressure early in the straight at which stage MEELO was denied a clear run on the inside and was forced to be switched to the wide outside in order to get racing room.
During all of this, BEAUTIFUL SPACE grabbed the lead early in the last furlong, only to be caught within shades of the wire by REGAL SENSATION, who came flying at the finish.
Barbados-based winner
The winner, a bay filly by Royal Minister out of Economic Sensation, is owned by Bardados-based Elias Haloute and trained by Anthony 'Baba' Nunes.
Nunes said he was hoping for a hot pace and got it.
"Jaylen and Reggae Rock ensured a fast pace and this set it up nicely for us," he explained. "She's improving and we'll see how far it takes her."
Earlier in the afternoon, the American-bred 4-y-o colt CHINA CROSSING also made it two-in-a-row, with a bold front-running display under topweight of 57.0kg in the fifth race over 1700 metres, winning by 2 1/2 lengths from evens favourite PRINCE ROHAN in a field of seven.
He was ridden by Panamanian jockey Ameth Robles for in-form trainer Morris Powell and owner the Houston Stables.
Nelson emerged the day's top performer with two winners in REGAL SENSATION and 7-2 chance PAT ON CALL, who notched her fourth consecutive win over 1100 metres. Champion jockey Omar Walker rode his 400th winner, SKIPAWAY PRINCE, in the sixth race over the straight five course.