A. Charmer, Hazmoore rule Gran Copa

Absolute Charmer succeeded where Golden Ballet failed, winning the race she was heavily fancied to win — the Genuino Cup of the 24th Gran Copa de Manila Stakes race yesterday at the San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite.

Hazmoore earlier surprised everybody, including racing experts, as the six-year-old horse showed she’s got more to give over the punishing the 1,900-meter race, thwarting Golden Ballet’s rally and completing a stunning wire-to-wire victory in the Philracom Cup.

The three-year-old Absolute Charmer, winner of the recent Imported Stakes Series two weeks ago, crossed the finish line unopposed to underscore her domination of the field reduced to three after owners of noted sprinter Audrey’s Savings decided to scratch their bet over the 1,900-meter race.

Audrey’s Savings’ presence wouldn’t matter anyway, as Absolute Charmer, watching from behind as Sunny Contender and Buena Sera fought it out for the lead majority of the race, simply proved to be a cut above the rest.

As Sunny Contender and Buena Sera lost steam at the top of the stretch, Absolute Charger, responding well from jockey Manolito Daquis’ urging, stormed past her rivals and galloped home to a five-length victory with plenty to spare.

But the same could not be said of Golden Ballet, whose emphatic victory in the recent First Gentleman’s Cup installed the four-year-old horse as the top favorite in the day’s other featured race. But she failed to flash her vaunted stretch run ability, or perhaps Hazmoore simply frustrated her by running in tip-top form to snatch the top P300,000 purse. — Ramon Romualdez