Eloping Emma wins feature

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

ELOPING EMMA, running at odds of 9-1 with 2.0kg claming apprentice Jevvanne Erwin aboard, won the restricted allowance feature over 1700 metres for the Aston Commock Memorial Trophy in a driving finish at Caymanas Park yesterday.

One of two winners on the midweek programme for trainer Dennis Pryce, ELOPING EMMA raced prominently in third as the 99-1 outsider DAYTON'S LAW led from LESTERAE with the even-money favourite THE VALIDICTORIAN outpaced passing the half mile in the eight-horse field.

She came through as a team with highly fancied WAIT AWHILE (5-2) entering the straight, and gained the ascendancy approaching the distance. But she had to be shaken up to hold the grey WAIT A WHILE (rallying on inside) at bay by three-quarter length, with THE VALIDICTORIAN staying on for third, another two lengths away.

Pryce, who owns and trained ELOPING EMMA, had a second winner on the card in 3-5 favourite GUAN YU under leading jockey Shane Ellis in the opening race over 1600 metres.

Also taking doubles were 14-time champion Philip Feanny (Distant Sunset, Austin Luke), Anthony 'Baba' Nunes (Reggae Princess, Below The Waist), jockey Dick Cardenas, Doushane Gordon and Robert Stewart, who won aboard big outsiders SWIFT GLORY at 57-1 in the second race and ABRAM STAR at 25-1 in the closing Alex's Imports 'Dig Out' Handicap over the straight.

Easy victory

The following is a brief account of the races: (1st) GUAN YU made most for an easy victory. (2nd) Outpaced as the 1-9 favourite KASEY'S POPS' KID led from PERFECT LADY, SWIFT GLORY closed rapidly on the inside a furlong out, sweeping past the 'POPS' KID' midway the last furlong for an upset win. (3rd) SANDSAND tried to make all, but DISTANT SUNSET, who was slowly away, ran through a furlong out to win in a driving finish from the subsequently disqualified 6-1 shot SHEZA SURVIVALIST.

(6th) AUSTIN LUKE made all. (8th) Outsprinted by long-time leader CLASS ACT in mid-track, REGGAE PRINCESS came with a determined challenge on the inside to lead post. (9th) BELOW THE WAIST made all for an impressive win. (10th) The favourite WIND CRAFT made most, but proved no match for ABRAM STAR in the last furlong.