Commanding Chief under smooth handling from Dick Cardenas scored handsomely in the Owen Silvera Memorial Trophy over 1600 metres at Caymanas Park today.
Commanding Chief running as the 3-5 favouirite tracked the early leader Classic Beau before taking over (rails) passing the half mile.
Challenged strongly by Raise A Ruckus (Winston Griffiths O.D. up) coming into the straight, Commanding Chief lengthened his strides impressively and came away for an authoritative victory.
Raise A Ruckus was second best, 2 1/2 lengths away, whilst the Dane Nelson ridden Classy Prospect finished a farther 1 1/4 lengths back in third.
Commanding Chief flopped as the overwhelming (1-4) favourite a fortnight ago when contesting the 1300-metre Seek Exercise Book Trophy, managing only sixth in a field of eight.
Says trainer Everal Francis: "He (Commanding Chief) apparently had an off-day the other day but handled himself really well today in the hands of Dick (Cardenas)."
Continuing, Francis said, "The (one-mile) trip also provided a more relaxed pace for him."
Commanding Chief, a 4-y-o chestnut gelding by War Marshall out of the Beau Genius mare She Knows Beau, covered the trip in 1:38 3/5 seconds.
"The Chief", owned by Doks Stable, was scoring his eighth career victory and has now amassed Jm $6.8 million in earnings from 14 starts.
Meanwhile, the recent batch of apprentices bowed into action on today's nine-race card, with most from the batch of 19 securing rides.
Interestingly, a select three were able to taste victory immediately, where Kuri Powell booted home Yes We Will in a thrilling finish in the opener, Renardo Mcnaughton partnered Jagsover to a decisive victory in the day's fourth, and Ruja Lahoe landed a nail-biting victory astride Stop A Gap in the sixth event.
The first two feats came aboard their very first mounts.
Champion jockey designate Dane Nelson take up where he left off last Saturday after riding a triple, bringing him to 93 wins this season.
Nelson's nearest rival, current champion Cardenas, has a 26-win gap.
