Market Force surges to Monday Morning Trophy

Trainer Richard Azan and stable apprentice Bebeto Harvey teamed up to win their second trophy on consecutive racedays yesterday at Caymanas Park, thanks to a 10-1 upset by the unbeaten MARKET FORCE in the inaugural running of the Monday Morning Trophy over 1400 metres for three-year-olds.

Azan and 2.0kg-claiming apprentice Harvey had won last Saturday's open allowance feature for the Bonnie Blue Flag Trophy over 1820 metres with 1-5 favourite FRANFIELD, this in a driving finish from BLUE DIXIE.

This time around, MARKET FORCE romped to an easy victory, 4 1/2 lengths ahead of the 3-2 favourite RADICAL, who finished fast after experiencing a rough passage in a large field of 15. MARKET FORCE was never far off the pace in fifth passing as the 99-1 outsider TRUE WHISPER led from EMPRESS HALL (6-1), WONG DON (7-1) and highly fancied MALACHI (2-1).

He quickened into the lead on entering the straight, disposing of TRUE WHISPER and MALACHI for a facile win, covering the distance in the good time of 1:26.1. UNFINISHEDBUSINESS at 29-1 was third, ahead of EMPRESS HALL in fourth.

VASTLY IMPROVED

MARKET FORCE, who made a winning debut over 1100 metres last November in a two-year-old race, reported with Lasix administered for the first time and looked a vastly improved animal in the process. He could take his place in the 2000 Guineas field on April 8.

The race was run in honour of the 1987 Triple Crown winner and 'Horse of the Year' MONDAY MORNING. The trophy was presented to the Azans by veteran trainer Stanley Findlay, who saddled MONDAY MORNING to win the 2000 Guineas in April, 1987. However, the horse was subsequently transferred to the stables of Enos Brown, who saddled him to win the derby and St Leger, not to mention the Gold Cup that year.

Another lightly raced three-year-old colt showed classic potential, winning the opening race over 1300 metres for maidens by the proverbial city block. The son of Strikewhileithot - VOODOO CHANT bolted off the track on his debut in the closing stages of the Front Runner Sprint when having the race at his mercy, but duly made amends as the 1-9 favourite. He was ridden by Robert Halledeen for trainer Anthony 'Baba' Nunes.

Among the four winning favourites on the card was the Patrick Lynch-trained 3-5 favourite TALENTED TONY K, who made all in the overnight allowance sprint, holding on by a neck from RAS EMANUEL at 6-1 with Shane Ellis aboard.