CHACE THE GREAT yesterday turned the tables on his rivals to make all the running in the 1300-metre Seek Exercise Book Trophy race, rebounding from a fifth-place finish in the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission (BGLC) Trophy race earlier this month.
Partnered by Wesley Henry, the Dwight Chen-trained four-year-old hopped to the front from the off and enjoyed a surprisingly unmolested lead, chased by 99-1 outsider ACTION MAN.
An expected speed duel between 4-1 chance CHACE THE GREAT and SIR BUDGET never materialised. SIR BUDGET left the half-mile in fifth position, failing to display his usual dash, forcing 3-1 favourite CHOO CHOO BLUE to prematurely go after CHACE THE GREAT.
A proven grade one sprinter, CHACE THE GREAT settled nicely on the lead and found extra coming off the home turn.
Urged by Henry, the gelding proved too good for CHOO CHOO BLUE, who had won the BGLC Trophy race in a driving finish but struggled with an 11lb penalty and had to settle for second, a length and a quarter behind CHACE THE GREAT'S 1:18.4.
PHINEAS stayed on for third at odds of 6-1, another length behind. ANOTHER BULLET, the 5-2 second favourite, was outsped and failed to fire, finishing fourth in the 11-horse field.
Gary Subratie opened and closed the 10-race programme, landing the first with two-year-old debutante MY SISTER at odds of 2-1 with apprentice Dane Dawkins, who took a quick double by going all the way with 9-1 outsider MONEYNEVERSLEEP in the second.
Subratie's GOLDEN GLORY closed fast with Aaron Chatrie aboard to win the 10th at odds of 6-1, giving his trainer top honours on the programme.
Racing continues at Caymanas Park on Saturday.