Cartel lands midweek feature

CARTEL attacked BALAZO three furlongs out and repelled another Anthony Nunes runner, A. P. I ., to land yesterday's 1100-metre War Zone Sprint Trophy at generous odds of 6-1, completing a hat-trick of wins.

Yesterday's victory was CARTEL's second consecutive win under his new trainer, Paul Charlton, who acquired the three-year-old gelding from Philip Feanny for owner Ven Deezle in November.

Bettors doubted CARTEL's ability to carry topweight 57.0 kilos but overlooked the fact that he was one of three runners in the line-up to have won three races entering the grade three event.

Jockey Jerome Innis was supremely confident aboard CARTEL from post-position two, attacking BALAZO three furlongs out and taking command down along the rail approaching the two-and-a-half marker.

Entering the straight, CARTEL kicked on from rivals, leaving BALAZO behind. However, Innis had to get down to work inside the last half-furlong when A. P. I came calling with Dick Cardenas, narrowly getting home from the chestnut filly.

Trainer Gary Subratie's BLUE DIXIE easily won the day's overnight allowance at a mile, running at odds of 2-5 with Dane Nelson astride, one of two winners for the three-time champion jockey, the other being 4-5 favourite NOTHINGBUTTHEBEST.

Cardenas and apprentice Anthony Thomas shared honours with Nelson, also booting home two winners apiece. Thomas landed the second with 6-1 outsider ABOGADO and the fourth with 3-1 chance ZACKONTHEATTACK.

Cardenas won the third with 3-1 shot CHRISTILANO and the sixth aboard SONG ON TRACK, a 9-5 favourite.

Racing continues at Caymanas Park on Saturday, followed by next Tuesday's Boxing Day meet, which will feature the Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes at a mile for which Nunes' unbeaten PATRIARCH is the ante-post favourite.

Nunes' BIGDADDYKOOL, Superstakes and Diamond Mile runner-up to all-but-crowned Horse of the Year, SHE'S A MANEATER, will be the horse to beat in the secondary feature on Boxing Day, the 12-furlong Harry Jackson Memorial.