Commander rules

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Champion trainer Wayne DaCosta was pleased with COMMANDER ZERO's wire-to-wire victory in yesterday's Easter Sprint Cup over 1100 metres at Caymanas Park, saying the classy four-year-old gelding was lucky to be racing again after being sidelined by injury last year.

Installed a howling 1-4 favourite in the overnight allowance feature, COMMANDER ZERO broke winging from the number one post position and provided champion jockey Omar Walker with an arm-chair ride in scoring by 7-1/2 lengths, in the smart time of 1:05.1.

But that was expected from the son of He'stherealthing-Arantxa, who duly made it two in a row following an equally impressive performance when making his seasonal debut over the same distance on March 14.

YOSHI, on the other hand, ran above himself (prominent) for second at gigantic odds of 65-1, outfinishing the 4-1 second favourite SHANGHAI PASS, who also raced prominently as a team with him (disputing second) into the straight. Twelve ran.

Serious setback

"Commander Zero promised much last year but after the Derby, he suffered a serious setback and was forced on the sidelines for nine months," recalled DaCosta.

"He chipped his left sesamoid bone (leg) and had to undergo an operation, which could have ended his racing career. Luckily, all is now right with him and he clearly has the potential to make it to the top.

"What I liked about his performance today was the fact that he switched his lead at the top of the straight and kicked. The time was very good and we'll watch his progress in the months ahead, for he's a very good horse," emphasised the eight-time champion trainer, who posted a second winner in the unbeaten American filly RACING MACHINE in the fifth race, with Walker astride.

Walker, meanwhile, took time out to extend his lead over closest rivals Dane Nelson and Paul Francis, thanks to a three-timer on the 11-race programme. His other winner was the even-money favourite, BURNING CIELO, for trainer Fitzgerald Richards in the seventh race over 1400 metres for maiden three-year-olds.

Walker thus pushed his season's tally to 35 - six clear of Nelson, who rode two winners in STEEL DE CAT and PRINCE RIDELL in the first and last races, respectively. Francis also rode two winners in favourites EL PEQUENO and the highly thought of three-year-old gelding, MAN A YARD, one of nine favourites to oblige.