7 months ago
23
AMERICANS IMPORTED specifically for last year’s Mouttet Mile yesterday continued their dominance of top-class races, BARNABY producing a storming last-furlong finish to nail two-time Horse of the Year ATOMICA at the wire in the Ian Levy Cup at eight and a half furlongs.
A seventh-place finisher in December’s Mouttet Mile after an eye-popping 14-length win on his local debut in November, BARNABY won his second race on the trot, beating ATOMICA in back-to-back races for his third victory in five starts on local soil.
ATOMICA, caught a furlong out by BARNABY at seven and a half furlongs in February’s Chairman’s Trophy, appeared to have the $4 million Ian Levy all sewn up after kicking clear of RUN JULIE RUN, TIZ TOK and COMMANDANT approaching the three-furlong marker.
Turning for home with a three-length lead, ATOMICA kicked with Mouttet Mile-winner FUNCAANDUN and TIZ TOK chasing in mid-track while BARNABY made his bid in fourth just off the rail.
Ripping splits of 23.4, 46.1, and 1:10.4 for the first six furlongs, ATOMICA ran FUNCAANDUN and TIZ TOK off their legs a furlong out. However, BARNABY, who had raced in fifth off the early fractions down the backstretch, responded to Tevin Foster’s left-hand whipping to storm at the six-year-old mare inside the final furlong.
Overhauling ATOMICA, one advertising signboard shy of the winning post, BARNABY won by three-quarter length in 1:43.4, closing on a terrific mile split of 1:37.1 set by the local mare.
Champion jockey Raddesh Roman missed a five-timer by a half-length, losing the first race aboard 6-1 chance OIL MACHINE to 6-5 favourite BLU SENSATION.
Roman returned with a vengeance to land the second and third events astride favourites SENSATIONAL MOVE and I AM INTERESTED before winning the eighth with FLYBLUEJET and closing the programme aboard TIGRAY EXPRESS.
The champion rider’s four-timer moved him to 24 wins, five clear of Robert Halledeen atop the jockeys’ standings.
Racing continues this afternoon with a nine-race card.
English (US) ·