Emperorofthecats steals Chris Armond Sprint

EMPEROROFTHECATS leapt from his inside draw with 110lb to steal yesterday’s Christopher Armond Memorial Sprint at five and a half furlongs, leaving 3-5 favourite SHE’S MY DESTINY struggling under topweight 126lb in third place.

Having easily beaten overnight-allowance company at six furlongs, two weeks prior, claiming rider Shavon Townsend made the most of EMPEROROFTHECATS’ 16lb advantage among graded stakes-open allowance runners, quickly sending the speedy four-year-old gelding to the front.

Running strongly on the lead while SHE’S MY DESTINY made her bid with the big weight alongside FREEDOM STREET, EMPEROROFTHECATS turned for home in full flight, quickening off the corner and staying on in the stretch run.

FREEDOM STREET won the battle for second ahead of SHE’S MY DESTINY, who tried chasing splits of 22.4 and 45.3 with 126lb, leaving her winded a half-furlong out as EMPEROROFTHECATS quickened away to win in 1:06.0.

Tevin Foster rode three winners on the 10-race card, opening his tally aboard two-year-old debutant WORLD SURPRISE at five furlongs straight.

Foster closed trainer Alford Brown’s two-timer astride 9-5 chance DON PABLO in the seventh at five furlongs round for three-year-old maidens. Brown had earlier landed the second event with 3-5 favourite PRISSIE at a mile.

Sitting 11 winners off leader Reyan Lewis in what appears a foregone jockeys’ title race, Foster wrapped the afternoon by making all aboard 3-1 shot WILDFIRE in the nightpan at five furlongs straight.

Racing continues on Tuesday, Boxing Day, with the Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes at a mile as the feature event.