Markofaprince, Seeking hope oblige

MARKOFAPRINCE and SEEKING HOPE, both lightly raced three-year-olds, scored easy wins in the respective sections of the Knutsford Park Cup feature over 1200 metres at Caymanas Park yesterday.

In division one, MARKOFAPRINCE, ridden by the sparingly used but competent jockey Harriston Lewis, was installed an 8-5 second favourite in a field of 13 bred three-year-olds (non-winners of two) and justified the support with a 23/4 length victory over BIMINI at 5-1 and the even-money favourite SHINE.

MARKOFAPRINCE was content to chase long-time leader FIRE ALARM (23-1) under in-form Wesley Henry into the straight. He disposed of FIRE ALARM approaching the distance and moved away for a decisive win ahead of the late-running BIMINI.

A chestnut colt by Market Rally out of Princess KK, MARKOFAPRINCE, who won on his debut over the straight on August 22, is owned, trained, and bred by Carl Anderson.

SLOW START

Later in the afternoon, the 4-5 favourite SEEKING HOPE, with Wesley Henry aboard, overcame a slow start to win division two by five lengths from long-time leader LOVE TRAIN (10-1) and the 90-1 outsider TWIGHTLIGHT CITIZEN in a 12-horse field.

Despite missing the break, SEEKING HOPE, from the Spencer Chung stables, gradually mended to turn for home very wide into the straight. At this stage, LOVE TRAIN, with Prince Holder aboard, still enjoyed a clear lead, but SEEKING HOPE lengthened his strides midway the last furlong to win like an out-of-class animal on this his fifth outing.

SEEKING HOPE, who had previously won over 1300 metres in maiden company on August 18, is a chestnut colt by Seeking The Glory out of the Pat N Jack mare Swapping Secrets.

Meanwhile, the howling 1-5 favourite BLUE DIXIE made a smashing debut in the opening two-year-old race over 1200 metres, going wire to wire for a 91/2 length win over stable-companion BIG AL at 3-1. The bay filly by Siky Mesa out of Dixie And Bullet was ridden by Omar Walker for co-owners Don Wehby and Michael Bernard in a seven-strong field.

Harriston Lewis, Wesley Henry, Jevanne Erwin, and title-chasing jockey Robert Halledeen shared the riding honours with two winners each, Erwin producing the 51-1 outsider COURT CALL with a terrific late run to win the fifth race over 1400 metres for a huge upset.