Runallday, Don Chassis impress in Caymanas feature races

Highly fancied RUNALLDAY and 10-1 outsider DON CHASSIS won the Front Runner-sponsored Hot Line and Sir Howard Stakes for native-bred three-year-old fillies and colts, respectively, over 1200 metres, at Caymanas Park yesterday.

Both races, which offered purses of $1.1 million, marked phase two of the Front Runner Racing Series, which was introduced last year for native bred two-year-olds. This year, Front Runner and Newport Mills Limited extended the sponsorship to three-year-olds preparing for the classics in four races - Hot Line Stakes, Sir Howard Stakes as well as the Thornbird (Guineas trial) for fillies, and Prince Consort Stakes for colts and geldings, both scheduled for March 18 over 1400 metres.

In the 23rd running of the Hot Line Stakes, contested by nine fillies, RUNALLDAY, who raced prominently in third as the marginal 4-5 favourite FORT JKOX disputed the lead with DON'T BLUSH BABE, stormed through on the rails past FORT KNOX, leaving the furlong pole to win by four lengths in a new stakes record time of 1:12.3. LADY FAYE (12-1) stayed on well to pip FORT KNOX for second behind fast splits of 22.1 and 45.2 for the half mile.

LIGHTLY RACED

A lightly raced bay filly by Blue Pepsi Lodge out of Racee, RUNALLDAY, who won as the 4-5 second favourite, was ridden by top apprentice Linton Steadman for trainer Anthony Nunes and reigning champion owner Stephan Narinesingh. She was bred by HAM Stables Limited.

Later in the afternoon, the Philip Feanny-trained DON CHASSIS ran on well from just off the early pace to catch and beat long-time leader and 1-2 favourite LOOSE CANNON under champion jockey Omar Walker by 2 1/2 lengths.

DON CHASSIS, who had previously won the Mercury Sprint over the straight on January 28, was one-two winners for two-time champion jockey Shane Ellis and 14-time champion trainer Philip Feanny. A lightly raced chestnut colt by Performing Magic out of Femme Doree (bred by Everglades Farms), DON CHASSIS covered the distance in the same time as RUNALLDAY (1:12.3).

Superkids Racing Stables, who owns DON CHASSIS, highlighted the 11-race programme with three winners. The others were 6-5 favourite LORD EQUUS, with Ellis aboard, and stable-companion PINELOPE, who made all at odds of 7-2 to win the King's Plate open allowance race over 1500 metres in decisive fashion with the apprentice Javaneil Patterson aboard. Both LORD EQUUS and PINELOPE are conditioned by trainer Patrick Fong.

Nunes and stable rider Steadman completed a double as well with the 33-1 outsider KANALOA in the closing race over the round five course. Racing continues on Wednesday, the holiday card featuring the Ash Wednesday Trophy.