Leyte Vice-Governor Leonardo “Sandy” Javier Jr.’s Astig (Elysium Fields out of Pebble Beach) mustered just enough energy in the last 100 meters to get past the pace-setting Matilda in scoring a victory in last Sunday’s 2024 Philracom 3YO Maiden Stakes held at the Metro Manila Turf Club in Malvar, Batangas.
The bay colt, under the guidance of Christian Advincula, nicely settled in fourth position from the time the gates opened behind the fast-stepping Matilda, Spirit of Might and Creation of Adam and stayed at that position as if knowing he’ll get his opportunity soon enough.
With a half-mile to go Matilda, a longshot in the race, even stretched her lead to six lengths, but the stalkers, which included top favorite Authentikation and Caring Melody, were already making their move at this juncture. The scene remained the same until the last bend for home as Matilda started showing signs of fatigue and was putting out shorter strides.
The Edgardo Lumpay-trained galloper stopped the clock at 1:26.4 for the 1400m race with fractions of 13’-22-22’-28’ a clear two lengths ahead of Matilda which managed to cling on for second, Authentikation third and Caring Melody taking fourth.
The win was worth P720-thousand for the winning connections out of the total P1.2-million purse, while P240-thousand, P120-thousand and P60-thousand went to the second, third and fourth placers, respectively. As breeder, Vice-Gov. Javier also stands to receive P60-thousand.-Marlon Bernardino-
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