Mamdeen scores big win

APPRENTICE Christopher Mamdeen yesterday used 7-2 chance GOD OF LOVE to outbattle Canada-based Dane Nelson aboard hot favourite, PRINCE CHARLES, completing a two-timer on the 11-race card, applying finishing touches to the jockeys’ championship.

Mamdeen, who started riding September of last year, extended what was already an all-but-impassable lead over six-time champion Omar Walker to 13 wins, opening the programme with all-the-way winner, STRUCK BY GRACE at five and a half furlongs.

Astride GOD OF LOVE in the ninth, Mamdeen notched his 93rd win of the season in fine style, getting first run on early leader, K D FLYER, three and a half furlongs out, awaited PRINCE CHARLES’ challenge coming off the turn and repelled the favourite to the wire, winning by a neck in a quick 1:11.3.

Ironically, GOD OF LOVE, who had won in a fast time with Dane Nelson last Saturday, running out of Anthony Nunes’ barn, returned to slam his former trainer, who had entered him on a $1m claim tag.

Though suffering a tough defeat with PRINCE CHARLES, Nunes, already declared champion trainer, posted a big 27-1 upset with MAMACITA at five furlongs straight in the seventh.

MAMACITA was the first of back-to-back winners for Aaron Chatrie over the straight course, returning to boot home UNKNOWN SOLDIER, who rushed past tearaway leader, JENSUNEERA STYLE, inside the last quarter-furlong.

MAMACITA and 17-1 longshot, HERECOMESTHEBOSS, who made all in the 10th, forced a $4.4m Twilight Pick-6 carryover to next Thursday’s Boxing Day holiday meet, which will feature the Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes at a mile.