'Mismyrtleboy' outclasses rivals

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

The classy American-bred 3-y-o colt, MISMYRTLEBOYRICHIE, took up where he left off last season with a fast-time runaway victory in the overnight allowance feature for the Ash Wednesday Trophy over 1300 metres at Caymanas Park yesterday.

Installed a howling 1-9 favourite with champion jockey Omar Walker again in the saddle, 'MISMYRTLEBOY' made virtually all to win by 7 ¹/² lengths from another American colt, RAISE A RUCKUS (2-1), under Panamanian jockey Dick Cardenas, with third going to 8-1 chance MACHISMO, the mount of leading jockey Shane Ellis.

Never in doubt

Well away from the number one post position, MISMYRTLEBOYRICHIE but was soon joined by the rank outsider CONCORDE'S DANCE, who attempted to press him as they galloped towards the half-mile. But when Walker asked the 'big horse' to step up the pace, he quickly disposed of CONCORDE'S DANCE to turn for home some two lengths clear of RAISE A RUCKUS, after which the issue was never in doubt.

Owned by Jigzy Blade, the bay colt by Mingun out of Two Punch Christy covered he distance in the smart time of 1:18.3 on a wet surface caused by mid-afternoon showers, behind splits of 24.1, 47.4 for the half-mile and 1:11.3 for the first six furlongs, in racing to his sixth consecutive win.

Trainer Tony Kirlew was particularly pleased with the performance of MISMYRTLEBOYRICHIE.

"He was short of one gallop coming into the race, but this made no difference. He was always going to gap these, but as he moves up in class the competition will get stiffer.

"But I can tell you right now, he's ready for anybody, anything, at anytime. So line them up ..."

Significantly, the horse was named by his owner 'Richie' in honour of his late mother, Miss Myrtle.

In-form apprentice Richard Mairs rode two winners in 3-5 favourite COBRA and old stager TOBAGO at 2-1 in the sixth, while jockey Larris Allen sustained minor injury when his mount, highly fancied LUX, fell while in contention at the half-mile in the opening race won by ROYAL BLAST (2-1). He was sidelined for the rest of the day as a result.

Yesterday being International Ladies Day, CTL presented gift baskets to three high-profile women in racing - trainer Margaret Parchment, assistant trainer Monica Edwards (wife of trainer Vin Edwards) and female apprentice Georgina Sergeon, who rode a winner, GRANDI ELANI, on the holiday card.