Dane Dawkins rode a five-timer yesterday, a half of the day’s 10-race card, closing a jockey-trainer three timer with Gary Subratie’s LEXI LOU, who made all against fellow maidens at five furlongs straight in the Eight Thirty Sprint for three-year-old fillies.
Dawkins also made Peter-John Parsard’s day, booting home back-to-back winners, FEELING FREE and LUCY ON THE GO, for the third-generation conditioner, his first meet after being named last season’s most-improved trainer.
Champion jockey 2022, wintering locally from Canada’s Assiniboia Downs since August’s Jamaica Derby, Dawkins jumped from fourth in the riders’ table to second on nine winners, one behind two-time defending champion, Raddesh Roman, who booted home 4-5 favourite MISS GROVE in the eighth.
Dawkins and Subratie notched the opening double, THE GENERAL and SENSATIONAL SOUL, who both outstayed rivals after pouncing in the stretch run.
THE GENERAL won at odds of 3-1, overhauling STORM, who tried to make all with Roman at seven and a half furlongs among $700,000 optional claimers.
SENSATIONAL SOUL, last year’s 2000 Guineas winner, who struggled among non-winners of four races after placing fourth in the Jamaica Derby, won in new silks, Trevor James’ Success Farms, staging a strong rally to outstay stablemate THOUSAND TREASURE, who had grabbed the lead off the home turn from the battling pair of AMERICAN AVIATOR and PRODIGIOUS POWER.
‘I Love February’, the month of mandatory payouts, started with the Ketch-9 returning $1,027,742, the longest shot being 3-1 chance MACK AND ROME, who made all at five furlongs straight in the George Hosang Trophy from post-position 16, a chance ride for claiming rider Gavin Harris.
Ironically, Harris replaced Jaheim Anderson after both had fallen from their mounts in the seventh event. However, Harris was cleared for his remaining rides in addition to replacing Anderson, who will be more than eager for a swift return after earlier booting home RESTORATION in the sixth to hold down third place in the early jockeys’ standings on seven winners.
Racing continues this afternoon, a nine-race programme.
