Sun | Dec 29, 2024

Emperorofthecats makes ‘light’ work of Ash Wednesday

Published:Thursday | February 23, 2023 | 1:10 AMAinsley Walters/Gleaner Writer
EMPEROROFTHECATS, ridden by Shavon Townsend, wins the Ash Wednesday Trophy over six-and-a-half furlongs, a three-year-old and upwards overnight allowance stakes at Caymanas Park yesterday.
Anthony Minott/Freelance Photographer
EMPEROROFTHECATS, ridden by Shavon Townsend, wins the Ash Wednesday Trophy over six-and-a-half furlongs, a three-year-old and upwards overnight allowance stakes at Caymanas Park yesterday.

EMPEROROFTHECATS USED his speed and light impost to virtually make all at six and a half furlongs, turning back a stretch challenge from NUCLEAR NOON in yesterday’s Ash Wednesday Trophy.

A 13lb weight swing and no matching speed made the difference for EMPEROROFTHECATS, who finished fourth last time out, beaten by YELLOWSTONE, NUCLEAR NOON and TAURUS BOY in the George HoSang Trophy at five and a half furlongs after sparring on the lead.

Claiming rider Shavon Townsend made good his seven-pound bug, disputing the lead with EAGLE ONE before shooting through at the half-mile marker. EAGLE ONE, BIG BIG DADDY and NUCLEAR NOON, each running nine pounds heavier than EMPEROROFTHECATS, were outsped into the lane, caught flat-footed by last year’s 2000 Guineas-placed speedster.

NUCLEAR NOON made a bid a furlong and a half out but wilted as EMPEROROFTHECATS quickened away. MONEY MONSTER improved into second along the rail to claim the runner-up spot from NUCLEAR NOON.

Sent off at 3-1, EMPEROROFTHECATS won in 1:19.1, powering home three lengths clear of 9-5 favourite MONEY MONSTER.

Ryan Darby saddled two winners, opening the holiday nine-race card with 4-5 favourite CONTRACTOR before returning to land the day’s stunner, 56-1 longshot DELAY THE GAME in the sixth event.

DELAYTHE GAME won similarly to his 35-1 Boxing Day upset among three-year-old maidens, repelling multiple challenges from the off to make all in a gritty performance at seven and a half furlongs with claiming rider Matthew Bennett.

Reyan Lewis was perfect aboard BABYLIKE and MAMMA MIA in the fifth and seventh events at nine furlongs and 25 yards and six and a half, respectively, completing a double to top his peers.

Whereas he enjoyed an armchair ride aboard MAMMA MIA, who made all to win on her three-year-old debut after chasing home the colt MOJITO in December’s Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes, Lewis had to rally BABYLIKE to regain the lead from STOMP THE RHYTHM inside the last half-furlong after the gelding headed off his mount midway the stretch run.

Racing continues at the weekend with Saturday-Sunday meets.