ENGLAND’S ROSE left the gate like a bullet but stopped as if shot when challenged by WOW WOW two and a half furlongs out, almost finishing third as the 1-9 favourite behind the colt in yesterday’s Bearings & Accessories Trophy.
WOW WOW, running at odds of 9-5 and administered lasix for the first time, after putting in a good piece of work last Sunday morning for trainer Gary Subratie, (1:06.2 for five and a half furlongs), tracked and swept past ENGLAND’S ROSE coming off the hone turn, clocking 1:05.1 for a 10-length win under Panamanian Ameth Robles.
ENGLAND’S ROSE, a full sister to 2017 Horse of the Year, She’s A MANEATER, and touted as the horse to sweep the upcoming Supreme Ventures Limited two-year-old series for trainer Wayne DaCosta, floundered badly in the stretch run, securing second by only a neck ahead of stablemate TOMOHAWK.
ENGLAND’S ROSE’s stunning loss in the $3 million event, her first in three outings, cost DaCosta, the champion trainer, a winner’s purse of $1.63 million, knocking the wind out of his bid to gradually cut into Anthony Nunes’ $16.7 million lead atop the standings.
WOW WOW opened a quick double for Subratie, whose 9-5 favourite, RACHEL’S GRACE, turned back SUPER AMIA and stayed on to thwart late-running DEEP BLUE SEA at five furlongs round in the eighth race.
Meanwhile, Nunes, on course for his first trainers’ title, ticked off an eighth consecutive win with Triple Crown winner, SUPREME SOUL, who outbattled seven-year-old open allowance soldier SUPERLUMINAL to land the Mark My Word Trophy at nine furlongs and 25 yards.
SUPREME SOUL, the 3-5 favourite, broke on top from post-position one, led past the stands and down the backstretch before SUPERLUMINAL surged to the lead five furlongs out, accompanied by Lawrence Freemantle’s BRUCE WAYNE.
However, SUPREME SOUL came roaring back at the leaders three furlongs out and was challenging SUPERLUMINAL for the lead coming off the home turn.
Despite Walker’s best efforts astride a battling SUPERLUMINAL, far-striding SUPREME SOUL overpowered him a furlong and a half out, edging away under Shane Ellis to score by a length and three-quarter, posting a decent 1:54.1.
SUPREME SOUL sealed a two-timer for Shane Ellis, who, earlier, made all aboard 2-5 favourite OKAHUMPA in the second event at five furlongs straight.
Racing continues at Caymanas Park on Wednesday.