HAGDANG Bato schooled his younger rivals by notching another major victory last Sunday, easily winnning the MARHO Platinum-San Miguel Beer Classic race at Santa Ana Park.
At 6YO, Hagdang Bato was the oldest among the seven horses in the field. Despite that, because of his achievements, he was sent off as the outstanding favorite.
The horse, owned by Mandaluyong Mayor Benhur C. Abalos and steered by regular rider Jonathan B. Hernandez, ran off the pace behind the speedy Marinx in the initial stage of the 2,000-meter race.
Hagdang Bato moved up to take the lead at the first bend and never looked back from there, his legs steadily churning the meters under Hernandez. Although he allowed Marinx to come as close as a neck in the backstretch, Hagdang Bato knew when it was time to move up, putting more daylight between him and the pack at the far turn.
Hagdang Bato pulled away down the stretch without need for whipping nor urging to win the MARHO Platinum Classic by five lengths in 2:06 (26-24’-25-24’-26).
Kanlaon placed second, followed by Biseng Bise, Hot and Spicy, King Bull, Marinx, and Manalig Ka Last.
Abalos received P1 million. He was represented at the awarding ceremony by trainer Ruben S. Tupas.
Abalos is also the breeder of Hagdang Bato (Quaker Ridge x Fire Down Under), a half-brother to another Abalos champion, two-leg Philippine Racing Commission Triple Crown winner Ibarra (by Yonaguska, a Cherokee Run progeny).
Abalos says he intends to run Hagdang Bato in the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Presidential Gold Cup race on Dec. 13, if the handicap weight is not too heavy.
“A horse peaks at 4YO, “ Abalos said. “As 3YO, they run in the Triple Crown and other elite races. At 5 and 6, they plateau. At 7YO, which Hagdang Bato will be in a couple of months, they start to decline.
“If Hagdang Bato is to carry 59 kgs. or heavier in the PCSO Gold Cup, I will not enter him the race, but retire him to stud.”
Hagdang Bato has won the Gold Cup twice, in 2012 and 2014. No horse has yet won this most prestigious of races three times.
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In the other four major MARHO Platinum races last Sunday:
MARHO Platinum-Philracom Juvenile Fillies 1,300 meters: Port Angeles (Cat Brulay x Teresina), owner Stony Road Horse Farm, trainer Dave de la Cruz, jockey Mark Alvarez. Real Flames 2nd, This Time 3rd, Bowties and Charms 4th. Time 1:20 (7’-22-23’-26’).
MARHO Platinum-Juvenile Colts, 1,300 meters: Dewey Boulevard (Hook and Ladder x Aboutthetown), owner-trainer Herminio S. Esguerra, jockey Fernando Raquel Jr. Bite My Dust 2nd, Stark 3rd, Lucky Toni 4th. Time 1:19.4 (7’-22’-23’-26).
MARHO Platinum-Santa Ana Park 3YO Colt and Filly Mile: Gentle Strength (Ultimate Goal x Shadow of the Moon), owner Benhur C. Abalos Jr., trainer Ruben Tupas, jockey Jonathan B. Hernandez. Sky Hook 2nd, Hook Shot 3rd, Super Spicy 4th. Time 1:42.4 (26-24-24’-28).
MARHO Platinum-PCSO Sprint, 1,100 meters: Cat’s Silver (Ultimate Goal x Cat’s Gold), owner BC Abalos Jr., trainer CC Angeles, jockey Kelvin Abobo. Never Cease 2nd, Ik Hou Van Jou 3rd, Nemesis 4th. Time 1:05.8 (18-21’-26).
MARHO President Antonio G. de Ubago thanked racing fans and the event’s major sponsors—San Miguel Corporation, Philracom, PCSO, and Philippine Racing Club, Inc.—as well as minor sponsors—Andok’s Litson Manok, Esicor, Ciara Marie Foundation, Transprint Corp., Jade Bros. Freight, Biffany and Beryl Co., Uratex, Shelltex Bed, Siomai House, and Manila Horsepower.
De Ubago and his fellow directors vowed to make next year’s event bigger and more exciting.
The MARHO Platinum souvenir program is free to view and download at Scribd.com. The link is on my racing Facebook page, ‘Gogirl Racing’, and at the MARHO page.
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Also held on MARHO Platinum Sunday was the Philracom Amb. Eduardo M. Cojuangco Jr. Cup, won by Low Profile. Messi, Tap Dance, and Eugenie were the placers, in order. More on this next time.
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