The Rolf Bartolo-owned and trained four-year-old brown filly Rio Ponti on Thursday gave a splendid performance in beating favourite Cool Cat in the feature Modified Benchmark Handicap for Horses Rated 70-55 on the turf track at Santa Rosa Park in Arima.
Bartolo had all right to be a happy, as he was the leading trainer on the ARC Carnival Thursday Lime. Bartolo landed the final two winners on the ARC eight-race card in Rio Ponti and Simon Peter.
The feature event on the Arima Race Club (ARC) Day 5 presentation saw Rio Ponti playing mas in Arima with Cool Cat and the rest of the field.
Bartolo’s filly was sent off as the 2-1 second favourite in the field of eight and jockey Ronald Ali had the Bartolo-trained filly prompting the pace, which was being set by Khaleesi.
However, punters had no anxious moments as Ali oozed confidence as he tracked the leader and waited to pounce. At the corner, Ali asked Rio Ponti to go win her race and she quickened up in style to pull two lengths clear of Khaleezi as Cool Cat began to run on with some purpose, but it was all in vain.
Here are the REFLECTIONS of the ARC Day 5 Card.
R1: Pure Strike - Close up, pushed along 500 metres out, every chance corner, ran on well close home. Can win again.
Marconi - Well away and led, clear entering straight, looked likely winner 200 metres out, run out of it close home.
Fake News - In touch, every chance corner, stayed on without troubling principals.
The Big Saint - Behind early, effort 500 metres out, stayed on.
Pure Innocence - Showed good speed to be in the firing line for 800 metres, weakened final 200 metres out.
R2: Man on Fire - In touch, ridden along halfway, every chance 400 metres out, ran on well.
Goldforfree - Close up until led corner, every chance final 200 metres, ran on.
Verses - In touch and going well, every chance corner, ran on well.
Miss Whirl - In touch until led far turn, every chance corner, weakened final 100 metres.
Lion's Portion - Mid-division early, effort 500 metres out, ran on without troubling the judge.
R3: Red Casino - Made virtually all. Clear coming to corner, ran on well, impressive.
Enchanted Cat - In touch, every chance 500 metres out, ran on, no chance with winner.
Ultimately - Behind early, effort 500 metres out, ran on.
Leave Me Alone - Close up and going well, ran green, unable to quicken final 200 metres. Will be better for run.
Price Alert - In touch and going well, every chance corner, unable to quicken.
R4: Spring Valley - Midfield early, advanced far turn, every chance when challenged 300 metres out, ran on well. Impressive.
Airforce Won - In touch and going well, challenged corner, ran on.
Goldon D'or - Behind, effort far turn, came up the inside from corner ran on well. Turn is near.
The Warrior - Well away and going well, every chance corner when led briefly, one-paced final 200 metres. Big improvement expected next time out.
Nuclear Fire - Led, clear far turn, every chance corner, weakened.
R5: Awesome Angel - Led, made virtually all, ran on well, impressive.
Osaka - Chased winner all the way, unable to quicken final 200 metres.
Unruly Queen - Behind early, effort far turn, ran on well final 300 metres.
Fortune Teller - In touch and ridden along, every chance corner, stayed on at one pace.
R6: Infortheglory - Close up, effort and moved forward half-way, every chance 400 metres out, ran on well. Can go in again.
Asajj Ventress - In touch, ridden 500 metres out, ran on well final 200 metres.
Pure Pleasure - Led and every chance corner unable to quicken final 200 metres.
Princess Alex - In touch, ridden along halfway, every chance distance, stayed on.
Lady Hamilton - Showed good speed to led early, in touch and every chance corner, weakened.
R7: Rio Ponti - Tracked the early pace, cruised up to challenge 600 metres out when travelling well, took command 300 metres out, ran on well, cosily.
Cool Cat - Always prominent, ridden to challenge 500 metres out, every chance corner, ran on well. No chance with winner.
Khaleezi - Led, going well, challenged for lead at far turn, every chance corner, stayed on well.
Mafia Man - Behind early, improved position at far turn, every chance 500 metres out, stayed on. Turn is close.
Overanalyzation - In touch, every chance 500 metres out, one-paced.
R8: Simon Peter - Broke well, tracked leader, going well and sent to the front 500 metres out, challenged at the distance but responded to pull away for an impressive success. Can win again. Improving.
News Flash - Close up and going well, produced to challenge 300 metres out, ran on well.
Marengo - In touch, every chance corner, ran on.
Leonardo Angel - Mid-pack early, gradually closed on leaders, every chance corner, stayed on willingly.
Signal Note - In touch and going well, every chance 300 metres out, one pace final furlong.