Hammerhead stuns field in fillies championship

Fourth pick Hammerhead won the Juvenile Fillies Championship race last night by beating one of the best talents in the land today, pulling off the stirring victory under one of the most toughest racing conditions before a stunned Sunday crowd at San Lazaro.

Unfancied with virtually no record to speak of except for a great run in a recent maiden race, Hammerhead rallied from seventh and last place then sneaked by the muddied rail down the stretch to gallop home to a one-length victory over the highly-fancied Speed Goddess.

It was a victory that also spoke well of the talent of Jeffrey Zarate, one of the best jockeys to have come out of the ranks, who made his move atop the chestnut filly at the far turn before steering his mount to the come-from-behind victory worth P210,000 for owner Chito Arceo.

The victory was indeed surprising as it was stirring as Hammerhead actually had a false start and had a wayward run in the early going with Zarate finally settling down his mount at the backstretch before urging her to rally by the rail with Ilocandia Slew.

Speed Goddess, with Virgilio Camañero taking over Jesus Guce at the helm, was then trying to hold off the rallying Manolito Daquis-steered Gutmoore at the far turn and appeared to have succeeded by keeping a two-length lead going into the last 100 meters of the 1,500-meter race. — Ramon Romualdez