Pinnock rules Grooms’ Day
Published:Sunday | March 27, 2022 | 12:14 AMAinsley Walters - Sunday Gleaner Writer
CLAIMING rider Youville Pinnock enjoyed his best-ever day in the saddle at Caymanas Park yesterday, notching a four-timer, including back-to-back victories in the divided Grooms’ Association of Jamaica Trophy feature, before signing off the programme with a hat-trick aboard 3-5 favourite BUFF BAY, nailing ZION at the wire.
Pinnock, a five-pound lightweight claimer, first lit up Grooms’ Day by motoring from last position aboard 1-5 favourite ADORING TEXAS, who was slowly away in the seventh event at five and a half furlongs. Turning for home in what appeared a hopeless s position astride the five-year-old, who hadn’t raced in three months, Pinnock weaved his way through the 13-horse field to produce his mount with a storming rail run to sweep past RUN JAYA RUN, winning by three lengths.
The last three events were the ‘Pinnock Show’ as the lightweight rider produced contrasting victories aboard RING CHARMER and CRUELLA in either leg of the Grooms’ Association feature at five furlongs straight.
Drawn widest at post-position 10 in Division One, Pinnock broke 9-5 chance RING CHARMER sharply to briefly dispute the lead with THE GENESIS and IANNAI LINKS before his mount exploded inside the last furlong to romp home by five lengths in 1:00.1 from OLDKINGCOLE.
Returning in the next race with the track bias against CRUELLA breaking from the dreaded one hole, made worse in an 11-horse field, Pinnock bided his time before moving his mount from behind rivals, launching his challenge inside the last furlong to overhaul MISTER MANDATE by a half-length in a driving finish.
CRUELLA clocked the exact time of 1:00.1 as RING CHARMER, who she had beaten by a length at five and a half furlongs on December 11, franking the form of that event.
Racing continues this afternoon with punters whetting their appetites for a share of the Reggae 6 mandatory payout after having to endure eight favourites on the 11-race card.