ZULU WARRIOR yesterday made amends for his December 13 loss to Canadian ATLANTIC CONVOY at six furlongs, powering away from ANOTHER ONE to beat late-closing American, CHAMPION BUBBLER, by almost six lengths in the Security Department Trophy at five furlongs straight among overnight-allowance winners.
Summoning Demar Williams in place of Raddesh Roman, ZULU WARRIOR’s connections were compensated at odds of 5-1, the second victory in less than two months for the Soul Warrior-Lookatmenow runner after the champion jockey was replaced by a claiming rider.
Drawn favourably at post-position nine, three stalls from the stands’ side, super-fit ZULU WARRIOR raced within touch of ANOTHER ONE, partnered by Roman, before exploding inside the last furlong to record his sixth career win at age five, the first at the trip.
Even-money favourite, American FORTUNA BELLE, touted like wildfire by railbirds, finished fourth, two and three-quarter lengths behind third-place ANOTHER ONE, who was blown away when the winner quickened to clock 58.0 on a track made fast by rain.
Finishing outside the top two on only two occasions in nine starts since acquired by O & S Racers on June 29, ZULU WARRIOR is the second Lookatmenow-foaled runner to be showing vast improvement.
ZULU WARRIOR’s half-brother, four-year-old DON KWESI, sired by Sensational Slam, recently upstaged American FRED THE MASTER in the Vestia Trophy at seven and a half furlongs. The half-brothers could face off in open-allowance company.
Roman, who comfortably retained his title, closing last season on 129 winners, set a date at Big Buy Plaza with the stewards after being disqualified and placed last after passing the post in front aboard SUCCESSFUL MAN in the seventh event.
Penalised for wiping out ANOTHER MISSION along the rail inside the last furlong, SUCCESSFUL MAN’s number was taken down and the event awarded to second-past-the-post PRINCESS CATALEYA at odds of 5-1 with Javonne Prince for trainer Patrick Lynch.
Racing continues on Saturday with the Reggae 6 opening at $3.9 million for a single-winning ticket after a $27,712 payout.
