Runaway Algo takes Easter Sprint

SMALL-string trainer, Dale Murphy, yesterday enjoyed his best day ever as a conditioner at Caymanas Park - RUNAWAY ALGO making every post a winning one in the Easter Sprint Cup, turning back 1-5 favourite MAHOGANY - after earlier landing a massive 39-1 upset with KUNDA MAN, who survived a lengthy stewards’ enquiry before getting the all-clear in the third event.

Speedy United States-bred RUNAWAY ALGO made it four straight victories from five outings, using his bullet start to get the jump on MAHOGANY, who, though returning off a seven-month lay-up, quickly tackled the foreigner a half-mile out in the five-and-a-half furlong event.

Running with five runs under his girth since debuting in November and nine pounds lighter than MAHOGANY, who last raced in September, three-year-old RUNAWAY ALGO was brave on the lead when eyeballed by the five-year-old chestnut gelding three and a half furlongs out.

Chasing an opening quarter of 22.4, which morphed into 45.3 in the lane, MAHOGANY had no kick when RUNAWAY ALGO quickened to win in 1:05.2 with a busy Christopher Mamdeen.

MAHOGANY stayed on stoutly for second behind the fast time, signalling he will be a tough horse to beat when next out, especially at a longer distance. I AM FRED, ridden flat out by Philip Parchment, won the battle for third ahead of CURLIN’S AFFAIR.

Champion trainer Anthony Nunes saddled three consecutive winners – APHELIOS, AMY THE BUTCHER and MORIMOTO – but still fell one short of rival Jason DaCosta who logged four wins over the three-meet Easter Carnival to extend his lead atop the stakes standings.

Champion jockey Anthony Thomas logged his seventh win of the carnival astride DaCosta’s foreigner, DOUBLE DIVA, an effortless victory in the second event, to join Dane Dawkins on 28 wins atop the riders’ standings.

Racing continues on Saturday.