Banadura runs Thornbird Stakes rivals into the ground

JASON DACOSTA’S Hot Line Stakes winner, BANADURA, showed further improvement in the tongue-tie, taking control of yesterday’s seven-furlong Thornbird Stakes a half-mile out, to run rivals off their legs in the 1000 Guineas prep event.

Robert Halledeen sent 8-1 chance BANADURA clear of stablemate COMEHOMETOME and early leader MIDNIGHT FLIGHT, straightening with a three-length advantage, ridden out to win by a length and a half in 1:29.1.

COMEHOMETOME stayed on for second under Jerome Innis at odds of 20-1, a length ahead of 6-5 favourite RUN JULIE RUN, who ran flat throughout the event, meekly closing from seventh position in the stretch run, another disappointing effort since her big runner-up performance in December’s Jamaica Two Year Old Stakes.

BANADURA closed a two-timer for Halledeen, who had earlier handed trainer Oral Hayden a second winner on the nine-race card, BAD INVESTMENT, closing in mid-track to sweep past BENSON close home at five furlongs straight in the sixth event.

Hayden’s TALONA turned back fellow speedster and 1-5 favourite, JAGUAR, to win the third event at five furlongs round at odds of 5-2 under Youville Pinnock.

DaCosta also saddled two winners, landing the fourth event with SHE’S A MIRAGE, who stayed on doggedly to hold on by a short head from 1-5 favourite BRITTBRIAN EXPRESS. SHE’S A MIRAGE made all with Panamanian Josue Osorio at odds of 5-2, shortening with every stride but saved by the wire.

A GIFT FROM BEN, an 11-1 outsider, was awarded the Grade 1/Open Allowance Lady Geeta Trophy in the stewards room following 1-2 favourite DESERT OF MALIBU’S disqualification for interference to MAHOGANY in the stretch run.

Exchanging noses on the lead with Reyan Lewis aboard MAHOGANY, Raddesh Roman resorted to unnecessary right-hand whipping in the stretch run, causing the United States-bred mare to bear down on her rail-running rival a half-furlong out, costing the seven-year-old gelding second place on his return off a four-month break.

A GIFT FROM BEN inherited second place and, eventually, the co-feature after Lewis hauled MAHOGANY out of trouble and proceeded to lodge a jockeys’ objection in addition to the immediate stewards’ inquiry launched by the Winchester Road adjudicators.

Roman’s disqualification cost him a crucial three-timer in his bid to make up ground on leading rider Tevin Foster, who he started the afternoon trailing by 13 in their battle atop the jockeys’ standings.

Roman closed a two-timer after his disqualification, making all with the grey, CITY HAWK, to land the eighth for four-year-olds, non-winners of two races, after earlier stalking and pouncing with 5-1 chance SONNY T AND CHIPPY in the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association of Jamaica co-feature at nine furlongs and 25 yards, rendering female rider Abigail Able helpless against the rail aboard stretch-run challenger SUNSET SILHOUTTE.

Though Tevin Foster failed to bother the record-keepers, he still has an 11-win cushion atop the standings, sitting on 38 winners ahead of Roman on 27.

Champion jockey Reyan Lewis clawed his way into the top five of the standings, moving to 11 winners after opening the programme with back-to-back winners, FRANCIS and RISTY, but remains way off the pace in what appears a futile bid to defend his title.

Racing continues this afternoon with the Prince Consort Stakes being the feature event on day two of the TOBA Weekend Carnival of Racing, which rewards winning connections with horse feed, gifts and goodies baskets, topped by a free stallion service courtesy of Silver Strike standing at Edison Chai’s Fairway Farms, which was won by SONNY T AND CHIPPY ‘s handlers.