Yellowstone eases to Anniversary Trophy

HANDED YESTERDAY’S SVREL Anniversary Trophy on a platter by the conditions book, speedy YELLOWSTONE enjoyed significant weight swings at the expense of joint favourites EMPEROROFTHECATS and MADELYN’S SUNSHINE to make all with a paltry 102lb at five and a half furlongs.

Allotted a highly questionable 106lb, which lightweight claiming rider Jordan Barrett further reduced to 102lb, YELLOWSTONE revelled in the atrocity, 13lb and 18lb lighter than EMPEROROFTHECATS and MADELYN’S SUNSHINE, respectively, ran off their feet by the five-year-old.

Plummeting from topweight 124lb when he had met his rivals in the Reggae Month Trophy at five furlongs straight on February 17, YELLOWSTONE reported with his customary visor refitted by trainer Alford Brown, signalling his intent to go all the way.

MADELYN’S SUNSHINE tried keeping pace down the backstretch but the 18lb weight swing was too much to bear for the United States-bred five-year-old mare, who waved the white flag early inside the last furlong.

Though a bit more fortunate at the scale, running with 115lb due to Richard Henry’s six-pound claim, EMPEROROFTHECATS fared no better, wilting into fourth place after being pushed hard on the far side.

YELLOWSTONE clocked 1:07.4, beating MADELYN’S SUNSHINE by six and a quarter lengths. PRESS CONFERENCE got the better of stablemate EMPEROROFTHECATS to secure third.

Raddesh Roman booted home a three-timer in his bid to make up ground on leading rider Tevin Foster, landing back-to-back races astride SUGAR SUGAR and K D STRONG, before closing with speedy BOOTYLICIOUS in the ninth, beating Mouttet Mile runner-up ABILITY at five furlongs straight.

However, Foster was all but equal to the task, responding with a two-timer, SPIETH in the second and nightpan-winner SALUD, staying six clear of his rival, pushing his tally to 25 winners after the first of six March meets.

Journeyman Phillip Parchment also rode two winners, opening the 10-race card aboard COLD PURSUIT at five furlongs straight, returning in the sixth to power home 1-5 favourite ROHAN KABIR at seven furlongs for champion owner Carlton Watson.

Racing continues on Saturday with a Ketch 9 mandatory payout expected to reach in excess of $6 million after yesterday’s jackpot carryover of $2.2 million.