An ante-post favourite for last year's Gold Cup run Nuclear Power showed just why she was placed in that position after she won the feature Grade Three - Santa Rosa Dash race over 1,200 metres at Santa Rosa Park in Arima on Saturday.
The victory was recorded by a half-a-length to deny General JN with the Glenn Mendez trained Spoke In Yuh Wheel, who was a further half-a-length behind. The winning time was 1:11..63.
Punters were on the ball and installed the Harriram Gobin trained five-year-old grey mare as the even-money favourite to win the 'Dash' which meant she had to beat the Stewards Cup and Sian's Gold winner Early Bird, Horse of the Year 2019, Juice Man and the talented General JN from the John O'Brien barn.
When the starter sent the eight-horse field on its way, Early Bird the Champion Sprinter of 2019, was first to show and before they raced 100 metres, former champion sprinter Whisper Light pushed his way to the front. The duo was then joined by the Shivam Maharaj owned Nuclear Power, along with the speedy Pauseforacoors. General JN was contented to tracked the pace with Spoke In Yuh Wheel and Set Sail as Juice Man had to ridden along to keep pace.
At the far turn, Early Bird held a slight advantage from Nuclear power with General JN closing as Pauseforacoors and Whisper Light tried to keep in touch.
At the corner, Galviz gave Nuclear Power the office and the filly by Mission Impazible/High Quality quickened clear impressively to open a three-length gap on the chasing pack headed by Early, Bird, General JN, and Spoke In Yuh Wheel which was being produced with a good run by Dillon Khelawan. Punters who backed Juice Man on this occasion began to put their tickets in the bins the Horse of The Year was pushing along and making no progress towards the leaders.
Inside the final 100 metres, Nuclear Power began to idle in the lead and General JN and Spoke In Yuh Wheel got much closer than expected.
The margin of victory does not give a true indication of the authority go Nuclear Power victory.
Riding honours for the day went to Wilmer Galviz who rode a double aboard the Harriram Gobin trained and Shivam Maharaj owned pair of Nuclear Power and Pontius Pilate.
In the first event for the Classic three-year-old, the Richard Frederick trained CP Jet scored an upset victory in the fourth event for West Indian Bred Three-Year-Oldsover 1750 metres. The Patrick Boyce owned filly came from last to first to score impressively by four lengths from Sweet Caroline. She has advertised her intention for the first jewel of local racing's "Triple Crown.'
Racing will take a rest this week but return on 28th of March.