Easy for DaCosta's Dysfunctional

DYSFUNCTIONAL yesterday scored an almost effortless victory over up-in-class HONEY RYDA at six and a half furlongs, albeit allowing the three-year-old filly 14lb, confirming his overnight-allowance superiority.

Partnered by Omar Walker for champion trainer Wayne DaCosta, the five-year-old gelding stalked the early pace from fourth position before edging into third past stablemate WITHOUT EXCEPTION with three furlongs to run.

HONEY RYDA had just grabbed the lead from speedy SIR BUDGET, coming off the home turn, when Walker moved DYSFUNCTIONAL into a challenging position at the top of the straight and casually asked the experienced gelding to quicken.

Set down in mid-track, DYSFUNCTIONAL lengthened his strides to quickly sweep past HONEY RYDA and kept moving away from the rail-running filly to win by four and a half lengths.

WITHOUT EXCEPTION, who was third in April’s 2000 Guineas, stayed on for third place in his first race since June 30, signalling he will be better for the run next time out.

DYSFUNCTIONAL was an even-money favourite, a king’s ransom, considering his creditable performance in his previous event, losing by only two lengths to much-improved American filly, HILLY’S HALO, who is unbeaten in her last four races.

Meanwhile, jockey Dick Cardenas and trainer Richard Azan combined for back-to-back winners, 2-5 favourite PEKING CRUZ at 1000 metres straight in the seventh event and 5-1 chance SWABYBABY in the eighth, also over the straight course.

The day’s stunner was BLUE MOON, who struck at odds of 23-1 in the sixth event, returning off a 21-month lay-up with jockey Obrien White for trainer Fitznahum Williams.

Racing continues at Caymanas Park on Saturday.