NOT even the rains can stop the exciting thoroughbred action thundering at the Metro Manila Turf Club Malvar racetrack Sunday as the country’s top imported gallopers competed in the final third leg of the PRINCE CUP and KING’s GOLD CUP.
Triple Crown winner MORALLY (Motown-Street Rally by street Sense) overcame gate trouble and a poor start but still won handily over second placer TIZ the MOON, in the Prince Cup and was expertly handed by star jockey Mark Alvarez. Owned by G R Gaerlan and trained by Ernesto Roxas, morally registered a time of 24’22’24’ 27’= 1:38.4 for the 1,600 meters distance.
On the King’s Gold Cup, second leg winner VARATTI (Into Mischief-Artemis by Empire Maker) repeated his winning ways by stalking first leg winner Sherbet fountain to capture the third leg and the P7M prize. Owned by James Rabano and trained by Ramon Nartea, VARATTI, patiently ridden by Jockey Jeff Zarate took the lead at the far turn and finished with a very fast time of 24 22’ 23 26’=1:36 in the mile race.
Also held were the inaugural memorial races for the late MMTC’s founder Dr. Norberto Quisumbing. The first Trophy one race was won by CALOOCAN ZAP (JD Flores) winning over Modern Stroke and California King. The second trophy race was later won by imported galloper ACE of DIAMONDS (JM Estorque) over Brichton and Blue Mind Theory.
The Prince and Kings Gold Cup was conceived by MMTC Chairman and CEO Atty. Narciso O. Morales to rekindle public interest and stimulate growth in the horseracing sector after the prolonged disruption of the global pandemic. MMTC committed a purse breakdown and special races a total of P17 million for these events : P7 million for the Prince Gold Cup and P7 million for the Kings Gold Cup (P14 million total), plus P3 million allocated to the two Dr. Norberto Quisumbing Jr. Memorial Stakes (Races 1 and 2). Each race in the series carries a guaranteed minimum purse of P400,000. These purses underscore MMTC’s commitment to elevating competition and providing meaningful rewards for owners, trainers, and jockeys.
