O'Shaun Connection making waves at the track

Popular owner Oneil Hinds (O'Shaun Connection) has hit the ground running at the start of the new season, thanks to four winners including the grey ITALIANO who romped the opening James B. Dawes Memorial Trophy over 1300 metres at Caymanas Park yesterday.

Hinds and trainer Neive Graham teamed up for a second winner on the nine-race card when highly fancied PERSIAN BELLE (2-1) made all in the fourth race for $250,000 - $210,000) claimers over 1820 metres, winning by six lengths from PERFECT FLYER (5-2) who chased him relentlessly.

The seven-year-old gelding, ITALIANO, running as the 1-4 favourite with former champion Omar Walker again in the saddle, shot past early leader AGAKHAN (2-1) leaving the half mile and breezed home by five lengths from 2-1 chance GOLDEN BULLET in a field of seven $450,000 $400,000 claiming horses. PERSIAN BELLE, on the other hand was ridden by Kerry-Gayle Robinson. Significantly, both horses were claimed, but Hinds was not perturbed.

"That 's the nature of game, you would like to keep horses when they win and do well for the most part, but there are others out there in the claiming marketplace with an eye for an Italiano or Persian Belle and as the owner, it's best you lose them as winners," said Hinds who finished sixth on the list of top owners last year with 18 winners and $81 million in stakes.

"I can't complain about my numbers in 2015, but the plan is to finish higher in the standings this season even though most of my earnings will come through claimers," added Hinds ,who owns the O&S Tack Room (horse supplies and accessories provider) located on the Caymanas Park compound.