Lunar Rocket too hot for rivals

LUNAR ROCKET yesterday made a smashing return off a five-month layup, going gate to wire at 1200 metres in the 10th race, winning by a wide margin against four-year-olds and upwards, non-winners of three races.

Running for trainer Joseph Thomas for the first time, the speedy chestnut filly shot out of the gate and turned the race into a procession, clocking a fast 1:12.1 with lightweight jockey Oneil Mullings aboard.

LUNAR ROCKET won at odds of 9-5 and well clear of 7-2 chance MISTER BONES and 13-1 outsider AUNTIE RHONDA.

Highly fancied WARTIME was slowly into stride and suffered interference approaching the four-and-half-furlong marker, effectively ending her race with champion jockey Omar Walker astride.

Non-claiming apprentice Bebeto Harvey won two events on the 11-race card, including trainer Gary Subratie's debutant, K D FLYER, the day's biggest outsider, stunning punters at odds of 14-1 in the fourth race for three-year-old maidens at 1000 metres straight.

Harvey closed the programme with 5-2 chance GANJA MAN at 1100 metres, who has turned around his form for trainer Colin Ferguson since moving from Terrence McWhinney's barn.

Racing continues with back-to-back holiday weekend meetings - Saturday, July 29, and Emancipation Day, Tuesday, August 1; followed by Saturday, August 5, and Independence Day, Monday, August 7.