Golden run by the 'Genius'

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Gary Subratie pulled off a notable training feat at Caymanas Park yesterday when posting his six-year-old gelding HAIL THE GENIUS to victory under Panamanian jockey Dick Cardenas in the 39th running of the Pepsi Gold Cup over 1400 metres, lowering the colours of last year's winner SAINT CECELIA.

The betting made SAINT CECELIA, toting top weight of 60.5kg under leading all-time jockey Winston Griffiths, a 3-5 favourite in a bid to win the race for the second consecutive year, followed by HAIL THE GENIUS and THE GUV, both at 2-1 in a small field of five.

But after enjoying a commanding lead into the straight, the Spencer Chung-trained SAINT CECELIA was worn down by the lightly weighted HAIL THE GENIUS in the last 100 metres, going under by 1 1/4 lengths in the fairly good time of 1:25.1.

Following his fast-time runaway win over 1100 metres (1:05.2) on the previous Saturday in overnight company, the victory came as no surprise to Subratie.

"Last Saturday, HAIL THE GENIUS was considered my Gold Cup second string to the talented American filly RONRON, but we all know RONRON came down with the fever on Tuesday night and had to be withdrawn from the race," he said.

"I was forced to pin my hopes on HAIL THE GENIUS, but felt he had a shot with only 48.0kg. In fact, I grew so much in confidence over the last 24 hours that I predicted in an interview that he would catch SAINT CECELIA in the glass.

"Given RONRON's unexpected withdrawal, this is a sweet, sweet victory for me. Cardenas gave the improving old boy a perfect ride and following last Saturday's big race with UNCLE KEN in the $3.6 million Pick-3 Super Challenge Trophy two-year-old feature, it would be fair to say I am ending the 2010 season with a bang," added the second-generation trainer.

two winners for Cardenas

By Hail Orphan out of Ingenius, HAIL THE GENIUS is owned and bred by Caymanas Track Limited's deputy chairman Raphael Gordon, who disclosed that he was winning his first Gold Cup with his first runner in the race after owning horses for over 30 years.

Earlier in the afternoon, Cardenas booted home the first of two winners, ERASMO (3-1) for trainer Richard Azan and leading owners, Elite Bloodstock Limited, in the Andrew H. B. Aguilar Memorial Cup over 1600 metres for native bred two-year-olds. And COUGWAY (7-2), ridden by Peter Bryan, won the Jamaica Racehorse Owners' Association Trophy race (overnight allowance) at 2000 metres for veteran trainer Noel Ennevor and owner/breeder, Donald Williams.