Worshipful Master wins pulling away

MANILA, Philippines — James Anthony Rabano’s Worshipful Master proved why he was the overwhelming favorite by ruling the 2024 Philracom 3YO Maiden Stakes in convincing fashion at the Metroturf last Sunday.

Engaged in an early one-on-one battle by second choice Primavera (Top Billing out of Lorinda), jockey Martmart Gonzales knew that he had his opponent’s number by easing up and letting the Pati Dilema-mounted galloper keep in step most of the race.

But in the last 300 meters, the Low Profile-Pinay Pharaoh progeny bred by Herminio “Hermie” Esguerra and trained by Ruben Tupas started laying huge strides and drew away from Primavera and crossing the pay-off wire four lengths ahead.

The victory was worth P720,000 for the bay colt in just his first outing while Primavera’s connections bagged the P240,000 runner-up prize. Da Compulsive took third while Regalberto nosed out Hans City for fourth.

Registering fiercely contested quarters of 13’-22’-23 and closing out with a 27 for a total time of 1:26 flat over the 1400m distance will keep the railbirds abuzz as to what’s next for this James Rabano campaigner.

In the 2024 Philracom Golden Anniversary and Japan Racing Association Friendship race, it was Pharaohs Treasure, a progeny of American Pharaoh out of Namurian Sunset, which reigned supreme.