Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

The unbeaten CLASSY PROSPECT turned in an impressive performance at Caymanas Park yesterday to win the fifth running of the $3.6 million Pick-3 Super Challenge Trophy race over 1400 metres, race No. 2 in the $11.8 million Supreme Ventures 2-Y-O Series which concludes on Boxing Day.

Installed an 8-5 favourite with Shane Ellis riding for champion trainer Wayne DaCosta, CLASSY PROSPECT was not the sharpest away in the 11-strong field, but recovered quickly to grab the lead after a dozen strides.

He was hotly pursued by the outsider FLINTSTONE who actually led briefly on the inside passing the half mile, but CLASSY PROSPECT was merely marking time and quickly regained the lead.

He turned for home with a commanding lead and won unchallenged, even though the Percy Hussey-trained COLONEL WALES (6-1) ran on strongly from below the distance to get within a length and a half of him.

AL FOUZIA (5-2), who won the first race in the series over 1200 metres on October 16, came from off the pace to finish another 5 1/2 lengths away third, heads on with EXCELLENCE (6-1).

A dark bay gelding by Saint Appeal out of the 1999 Derby winner Good Prospect, CLASSY PROSPECT is co-owned and bred by Dr Francis Barnett, Edison Chai and Louis Lyn.

Jockey Ellis, who had ridden CLASSY PROSPECT, COLONEL WALES and AL FOUZIA to win their previous races, chose to ride CLASSY PROSPECT over the others on this occasion.

"I've been associated with all three and to my mind, Classy Prospect strikes me as the most talented of the three. That's the reason why I rode him in preference to Al Fouzia, who is a nice filly.

Best two-year-old seen out so far

"I think that with the possible exception of Sports Star, Classy Prospect could be the best two-year-old seen out so far this season.

"The trainer told me to rate him in second before asking him to shoot clear 2 1/2 furlongs. After turning for home a good leader, he kept on strongly to win comfortably and will be difficult to beat in the final race over a mile on Boxing Day", said the 2000 champion jockey.

Meanwhile, star apprentice Doushane Gordon took the riding honours with three winners in VONALMIGHTY (9-5) for inform trainer Richard Azan, 6-1 shot THE GOLDEN ONE for trainer Robert Darby Sr. in the sixth and 2-5 favourite LORD ADMIRAL for trainer Norman Palmer in the seventh.

Title-chasing jockey Paul 'Country' Francis got the scare of his life in the seventh race when he fell from his mount, the little-fancied PROUD AGAIN in the early stages.

It was feared that the in-form rider had sustained injury and was rushed to the First Aid Post. Though badly shaken up, Francis escaped injury.