Phantom Bidder obliges in feature

PANAMANIAN jockey Nobel Abrego rode a waiting race with Phantom Bidder, scooting into the lead in the final 600 metres before going on to an emphatic four-and-a-half length victory in yesterday’s feature Allowance race on Day Two of the Arima Race Club 2004 season at Santa Rosa Park, Arima. Sure Wager set off in front in the 1725 metres race on the turf course and was tracked by “The Phanbtom” and Carnival Messiah. Abrego joined issue with Sure Wager with 1000 metres to go, and they pulled two lengths clear of a plodding Carnival Messiah. And as the field straightened up for the final run home, Abrego gave “The Phantom” his head and he lengthened his stride to the wire to win in record time of 1:41.33 seconds, bettering the previous 1:42.1 oisted by Solid Gold in April last. Carnival Messiah rallied to take the runner-up position while Canaima came from way back to just get her head in front for third ahead of a fast fading Sure Wager.

The day was a memorable one for jockey Ricardo Jadoo who landed four winners on the nine-race programme, but champion trainer Glenn Mendez shared honours with the man he dethroned, John O’Brien, both saddling two winners each. There were a few resounding upsets on the day, the biggest coming when Justice just held on to win the third race from Mystile, Kay-Gee-Bee and Bold Fapp. Backers were rewarded with a tote payout of $66.70 and $20.80 on Justice, with no one spotting the trifecta.  The superfecta dividend was a handsome $4,236. Earlier, Second Chances surprised in winning the maiden three-year-old race for a tote dividend of $24.60 and $4.50. Another surprise winner was Reign Of Fire who gave backers $18.30 and $4.40, and with Full Of Promises, Phenomenon and Tricky Guy following her home, the superfecta dividend ws $2,334.20. Punto A Punto rewarded backers with a tote payout of $33.80 and $6.60 when he won the Restricted Handicap from Due Dilligence, Mandela and Royal Red.  The superfecta dividend was a whopping $6,219.70. Racing will take a one-week break before resuming on January 31 with a ten-race programme.