The aptly named three-year-old colt Making Headlines burst into the "Classic Picture" when he bolted home by 12 3/4 lengths in the feature Grade III - Royal Colours Classic for native bred three-year-olds over 1,350 metres at Santa Rosa Park in Arima.
The John O'Brien trained thoroughbred has been beaten by Early Bird in both his starts as a juvenile but yesterday showed that he has trained on as a three-year-old and won like a "Triple Crown" horse.
Punters made Early Bird, which was partnered by Rico Hernandez, the even-money favourite. However, the Ruthven Smith owned Making Headlines was very well supported at 7/5 in the betting.
When the starter sent the 12-horse field on their way, Cloud Dancer was the first to show from newcomer Leonardo Prayer with Early Bird and Cool Cat tracking along with Mon Cheri. The second favourite Making Headlines was slowly away and was in the tenth position, some 15 lengths off the leaders.
Going down the back-stretch, Prayer took up the running from Cloud Dancer with Early Bird still in touch as Mon Cheri made a move on the inside to get closer as Cool Dancer stayed in the hunt as Making Headlines began to get closer to the leaders.
Coming to the corner, Mon Cheri sneaked into the lead on the inside of Prayer which travelled well for his first run in public as Early Bid and Cool Cat stayed in touch with Making Headlines coming with a bold bid on the outside of the field.
As the horses swung for home, Kerron Khelawan's mount Making Headlines swept into the lead and that was the end on the event, as he strolled clear in style just as sire Headline News did years ago.
The winning distance clearly showed that he is a horse going places as he registered the time of 1:22.09 which was a full second faster than that which was recorded by both Shes So Spectacula and Regal Intension on Boxing Day, last year.
Early Bird stayed on for second with Cool Cat giving O'Brien a one-two-three in the feature. This gave O'Brien his fifth win in the event in the past six years and a double this year, as he provided the winner in 2018, Princess Sophia.
O'Brien now has the top two three-year-olds in his stable in ShesSo Spectacula and Making Headlines.
The highly regarded Glenn Mendez trained Spoke In Yuh Wheel disappointed in the Modified Benchmark Handicap for three-year-olds going over a distance of 1,200 metres. He was sent off as the odds-on favourite but could not match the speed of stablemate Skylar which made a winning one for apprentice Sven Balroop. Leading Lady showed that she is returning to form with a creditable third. The winner's time was a good 1:11.62.
The day's riding honours fell to apprentice Andrew Poon who rode two winners in Lion's Portion and Blazing Gem. No trainer was able to saddle two winners.
Racing continues next week at the centralised venue.
