Trainer Mendez squeezes ‘em

Trainer Glenn Mendez pulled another trick out of his hat yesterday when he won the Starter Allowance feature on the Arima Race Club Day-24 card at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, with lightly fancied Squeezed Moment. The four-year-old chesnut filly, who is a full sister to triple crown winner Carnival Messiah, was unable to go the early pace set by the Guv’nor, Splitting Image and Bajan connection and was settled in fifth of the eight-strong contest by rising apprentice Gary Laban. Laban seems to be growing in confidence after being called into the Mendez stable since he began working on his mount at the 600m-marker to bridge the gap opened by the Guv’nor. Sticking to the rails he raced into a challenging position before the corner, where Venezuelan jockey Carlos Marquez pulled the brakes on Guv’nor in order to angle him properly for the stretch run. On straightening, the Guv’nor still held the advantage but was tackled by Lovely Honoree on the outside and Squeezed Moment on the inner.

With about 300m to go it looked like any of the trio’s race only to see Squeezed Moment responding best under the continued batting by Laban to edge away and win the 1100 metres highlight, switched from the turf to the main course. The Guv’nor plugged on to hold second in the three-way photofinish from the fast finishing Lady Honoree and Splitting Image. Trainer Mendez, who sailed into the league of the trainers’ championships last week was a four-timer, won the prior event with Beautiful Mind to carry his score to 27, six clear of John O’Brien who went winless yesterday. O’Brien was unlucky not to add to his tally when Due Dillegence was edged out of the top spot by Undisputed in the 1750m Handicap, the supporting highlight on the 10-race card for West Indian bred three-year-olds.