Chief Commander takes Independence Cup

Watched by a huge holiday crowd, champion jockey Wilmer Galviz kept the John O’Brien-trained five-year-old close up from the start, and got his head in front with 600 metres to go only for Invincibility under a strong drive by Haniff Emamalie, now based in Canada to edge past.

But Galviz conjured up another effort from Chief Commander and he responded gamely to just get his head back in front on the line to the delight of the screaming fans for a Trinidad victory

Sara’s Music also had a battle on his hand to score in the Sagicor Triple Protector Santa Rosa Classic.

Always in the first two from the off, the Maniram “Boboy” Maharaj-trainer gelding saw Feelikemakinluv go past him at the 800 metres marker and looked all over a winner.

But Barbadian apprentice Christopher Husbands rallied his mount who regained the lead 250 metres out and went on to win quite comfortably in the end by 3/4 lengths.

Two-year-old Al For Java was never in the firing line and managed only fourth.

The day was a remarkable one for jockey Ricardo Jadoo who won the first three races on the day’s card, the first two taking him to the 500 winners plateau.

But not to be outdone, apprentice Nela Mohammed kept up his good riding form himself landing a treble on the day to stay comfortably ahead in the jockeys standings.