Warsaw creates 37-1 upset to beat $1m claimers

WARSAW, a 37-1 upsetter in yesterday’s fourth race, survived a stewards’ inquiry and double jockeys’ objection, after holding off the late charging pair of 3-5 favourite PRINCE AMAAN and WHISKY at five and a half furlongs.

The second-longest shot in the nine-horse field for optional $1.5m claimers, WARSAW, partnered by claiming rider Emelio McLean, was up in class after making all to beat $1m claimers at the exact distance a month ago.

Hustled from post-position eight by McLean, WARSAW, claimed by Raymond Townsend from Anthony Nunes for $1m last Christmas Eve, made a sharp move for the lead on leaving the gate, evading a scrap involving WHISKY and TAURUS BOY, which left MILOS almost hauling up at the start with Christopher Mamdeen.

McLean kept WARSAW running strong on the lead with FLYBLUEJET in chase before down-in-class PRINCE AMAAN came calling off the home turn with Robert Halledeen.

Straightening with a slim lead, four-year-old WARSAW, running 12lb lighter than PRINCE AMAAN, found extra to quicken under the six-pound claiming rider and battled his way home, staving off an extra challenge from WHISKY looming large on the outside.

WARSAW lasted home by a half-length from PRINCE AMAAN, who rallied to snatch second, by a nose from 7-2 chance WHISKY.

A stewards’ inquiry, followed by the double jockeys’ objection, lodged by Mamdeen and Tevin Foster, who partnered WHISKY, caused anxious moments for the upsetter’s connections. However, the stewards, satisfied that WARSAW had played no part in MILOS’ interference, overruled the objections, giving punters the green light to cash in on the 37-1 shocker, whose upset resulted in a $64,825 Reggae 6 payout amid four winning favourites of the first five races.

Peter-John Parsard saddled three winners on the nine-race card – UNCLE PECK, FEELING FREE, and I’M OUTSTANDING – taking training honours ahead of Nunes, who closed the late double with 4-5 favourites, PAPI USO and THE HOT DANCER, partnered by Dane Nelson and Raddesh Roman, respectively.

Racing continues this afternoon with another nine-race programme ahead of next week’s dual holiday meet, Friday’s Boxing Day and Saturday to close the 2025 season.