Afternoon stroll for Runaway Algo

UNITED STATES-bred RUNAWAY ALGO made a mockery of rivals in yesterday’s Lloyd Lindbergh ‘Lindy’ Delapenha Memorial at a mile, a 14-length victory, down in class among overnight-allowance runners.

Runner-up to top-class sprinter-stayer MAHOGANY in October’s Gold Cup and also pace-antagonist in December’s Mouttet Mile, RUNAWAY ALGO proved he belonged among grade-one runners with an effortless win, clocking 1:38.1.

Linton Steadman sent the four-year-old colt straight to the lead and sealed the event at the half-mile marker with a crippling move, leaving his seven rivals flat-footed.

MONEY MONSTER finished a clear second behind 1-5 favourite RUNAWAY ALGO, who won his sixth race from 13 starts.

Champion jockey Dane Dawkins was aboard two winners, benefiting from one of two disqualifications on the 11-race card. Dawkins’ objection against first-past-the-post LOVE DUB in the third event was upheld, resulting in JOSH being awarded the race at five furlongs round.

Dawkins closed the programme astride 4-1 shot ANOTHER BULLET, chasing down ZABRATONE at six and a half furlongs.

Robert Halledeen earned the wrath of the stewards in the ninth event, drifting inwards aboard leader KISSMET early in the stretch run, causing a two-horse spill, which brought down EXOTIC LIGHT and GAHLY GAHLY LINKS.

First-past-the-post KISSMET was disqualified and placed outside the race for the spill, which sent Matthew Bennett tumbling to the turf from aboard EXOTIC LIGHT and Abigail Able soaring before landing in a heap.

Track announcer Brian Rickman afterwards reported that both riders were okay but Able would not honour her existing mounts for the remainder of the afternoon.

Racing continues at the weekend with Saturday-Sunday meets.