Daredevil Hero makes all in feature

AMERICAN-BRED three-year-old Daredevil Hero made all the running to win the feature Arima Race Club Cup Handicap at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, yesterday. From the off in the 1800 metres race, jockey Ricardo Jadoo had the Devil His Due/Justified colt ahead of the field, intending to make his light impost count and the tactic paid off  handsomely, as he had enough to hold off the late rally of  Phantom Menace by one length.

But the co-feature Flamingo Stakes for colts and geldings turned up a  stunning surprise winner in Mucho Tempo. Always well placed in the 1350 metres race, this Freshly Squeezed/Up Tempo colt was brought with a sweeping run in the final 100 metres to blow by leader Kato. Overwhelming pre-race favourite Pave The Way was always on the heels of Kato and Majestic who cut out the early fractions, but when asked to accelerate in the stretch run, failed to produce any extra and could only finish a disappointing fourth.

Earlier, French Academy scored a runaway eight and three-quarter lengths victory in taking the Ibis Stakes for the fillies over 1350 metres.
There was some high drama in the Starter Allowance race for three-year-olds, when Lit d’Amour, a clear five lengths ahead of his field with just approximately 50 metres left in the 1350 metres event, just suddenly stopped, dislodging apprentice rider Gary Laban.

Fantastic Story went on to win the race from Crimson Tower and Punto A Punto with Sure Wager fourth. It was a good day in the saddle for Jadoo who landed three winners, while Wilmer Galviz , Nobel Abrego and Haniff Emamalie had doubles each. The leading trainer was John O’Brien who saddled three winners. With the favourites or second best obliging yesterday, only two superfecta dividends managed to go over the $1,000 mark.

Best on the day was the Travel Agent, Redoubled, A Firm Relief, Fromnowuntil combination which paid $1,954.20. The French Academy, Private Affair, Melanie My Love, Yashoda combo rewarded ticket holders with $1,721.70. Travel Agent was best on the tote, rewarding backers with $14.50 and $3.50 on the tote.