'Chief' turns in another commanding display

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

The unbeaten 3-y-o gelding COMMANDING CHIEF turned in another impressive display at Caymanas Park yesterday, to win the 3-y-o and up open allowance race over 1500 metres by the proverbial city block.

Installed a 3-5 favourite in a bid for his fifth consecutive win, the chestnut son of War Admiral-She Knows Beau circled the leaders DOUBLE THE HONEY (10-1) and CLASSIC BEAU (29-1) approaching the home turn, and streaked away to win by 7¹/² lengths from 6-5 second favourite, CASSANOVA BOY, covering the distance in the smart time of 1:31.2, behind splits of 24.1, 47.1, 1.11.4.

Trained by Everal Francis for owners Doks Stable, COM-MANDING CHIEF held up just off the early pace in sixth position as CLASSIC BEAU and DOUBLE THE HONEY alternated in the lead in a field of 10.

He started his winning run by picking off rivals from the half-mile, went third passing the 600-metre pole and cruised past the leaders on the outside approaching the home turn, after which the issue was never in doubt.

COMMANDING CHIEF, who romped the July 2 St Leger, is now classified in the top class (grade one) and, according to owners' representative Orrettt Wellington, will take on the big guns (RONRON, MISYTRYLEBOYRICHIE, MARK MY WORD, PRICELESS BEAUTY) in the inaugural running of the $2 million Rum Fire Invitational Handicap (grade one) over 1500 metres on Saturday, September 24.

"This horse continues to amaze us, and those who felt the pace would be his undoing over the shorter distance were proven wrong. There's no mountain too high for him to climb and we have yet to see the best of him," said Wellington.

Major Mayer wins feature

Meanwhile, the 3-4 favourite MAJOR MAYER romped the day's feature (claiming $450,000-$400,000) for the Reca Trophy over 1400 metres, grabbing the lead from CAJUN FIDDLER from the 600-metre point to win by eight lengths from SEEK GOLD in a field of eight.

In the absence of leading jockey Shane Ellis (65 wins), who is on a two-day suspension, Dane Nelson stole the spotlight with three winners, to upstage title contenders Dick Cardenas (64 wins) and champion Omar Walker (61) with one each.

There was a stunning upset by the 99-1 outsider EYESOFGLORY in the sixth race for maidens over 1500 metres. Ridden by apprentice Chalrick Budhai for trainer Linton Calder, the lightly raced 4-y-o colt led three-wide entering the straight and proceeded to win by three lengths from the 7-5 favourite PERFECT LADY.