Dunrobin takes upset win at Caymanas

DUNROBIN ran 3-5 favourite, AMERICAN INVADER, off the lead and quickened a furlong out to hold ANASO at bay in yesterday’s five-and-a-half furlongs overnight allowance sprint at Caymanas Park.

Co-owned by Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL) chairman, Solomon Sharpe, and his trainer father, Owen, DUNROBIN dashed after speedy AMERICAN INVADER three furlongs out, pitting multiple title-winning jockeys, with similar riding styles, five-time champion, Trevor Simpson, against Omar Walker, a six-time title holder.

Locked in battle coming off the home turn, 4-1 shot DUNROBIN found extra a furlong and a half out, leaving United States-bred AMERICAN INVADER floundering against the rail.

ANASO, a dangerous run-on sprinter, tried charging DUNROBIN inside the last quarter-furlong but Simpson kept the six-year-old gelding running strong to the wire, winning by three-quarter length in a decent 1:05.3.

Dane Dawkins rode three winners, including a quick double, on the nine-race card, BLU ATTITUDE at 5-2 in the third, followed by 1-2 favourite, MAHOGANY, who ran an effortless 1:04.3 at five and a half furlongs in a maiden special weight for two-year-olds.

Dawkins closed the racing year with a terrific finish astride COCO CHANEL, storming past THE POWERS THAT BE close home to win at seven furlongs.

Apprentice Christopher Mamdeen topped his champion-jockey title with icing from the opening event, booting home a mild upsetter, 6-1 chance SMARTY TRADITION.

Michros, whose principal is former SVREL chairman, Michael Bernard, clinched the owners’ title, ahead of Carlton Watson, on the back of WOW WOW’s victory in the Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes on Thursday.

The final meet of the year marked the beginning of a new era, the first time in 14 years that Wayne DaCosta will not start New Year’s Day as champion trainer, finally dethroned by Anthony Nunes, who clinched his first title after years of trying to topple his rival.