OUTSTANDING, responding to a brilliant ride from in-form Dane Nelson, withstood a stout challenge from MUCHO GUSTO throughout the final 200 metres to win the Abe Issa Memorial Cup open allowance feature over 1200 metres at Caymanas Park yesterday as the 3-5 favourite.
It was a gutsy display by the fleet-footed five-year-old mare from the stables of Gresford Smith, but the kudos were reserved for Nelson who, thanks to a powerful hand ride in the closing stages, outfinished Shane Ellis aboard the Anthony Nunes-trained MUCHO GUSTO (5-2) in a field of five, as the park buzzed with excitement.
OUTSTANDING showed superior speed to lead from MEDICAL REPORT under champion jockey Omar Walker, closely followed by MUCHO GUSTO on the rails.
OUTSTANDING turned for home with MUCHO GUSTO in hot pursuit and, for a stride or two leaving the furlong pole, looked as though she would succumb to MUCHO GUSTO on the outside. But Nelson had other ideas.
A bay mare by Law Of The Sea out of Tropical Magic, OUTSTANDING is owned by Khadene S. Saunders and bred by her former owner, Roylton D'Cambre. This was her 10th career win from only 16 career starts and, by and large, has been living up to her name in sprint races.
Smith explained that she was sent to stud at the Mercedes Farm early last year, but failed to hold and had to return to the racetrack.
joint problem
"But getting her back into shape was not easy, as she suffered from a joint problem and had to be pin-fired. However, our patience with her has paid off, as she has won four races since returning to active competition last October," said the trainer.
"Having worked well coming into this race, I was confident she would win and I should add that we are yet to see the best of her," said Smith, who is popularly called 'Greasy'.
Meanwhile, Nelson had a second winner on the card in 3-2 favourite JUST A CAT, who made all impressively in the opening race over 1600 metres (non-winners of two), this for owner/trainer Carl 'Peter' Anderson.
Nelson holds down third position in the jockeys' standings with seven winners, five adrift of the new leader Omar Walker, who rode two winners for his guv'nor, champion trainer Wayne DaCosta, on the 10-race programme.
These were MARK TO MARKET a 2-5 favourite in the third race over 1200 metres (high claiming) and 7-5 favourite LIKKLE BIT, who won the overnight allowance race over 1600 metres in a driving finish from highly fancied THE QUEEN under Panamanian jockey Dick Cardenas.
Owned by Laurence Heffes' New Blue Limited, LIKKLE BIT, an American four-year-old colt, was one of six favourites to score on the card.
Paul 'Country' Francis, who started a four-day suspension yesterday, is second in the standings with 11 wins.