Nautical Star Dominates SVL Anniversary Mile Feature at Caymanas Park

Nautical Star delivered a commanding front-running performance to land the SVL 25th Anniversary Trophy for open allowance runners over a mile on Saturday, topping the feature on day eleven of an eleven-race programme at Caymanas Park.

Sent off as the 5-2 choice, the six-year-old American-bred Derby horse carried the colours of three-time former champion trainer Anthony Nunes with six-time former champion jockey Omar Walker aboard. Nautical Star signalled his intent from the break, seizing the lead while Don Quesy and the 1-2 favourite Supernatural Power gave chase from early on.

The leader was never seriously threatened. Inside the final five-sixteenths of a mile, Nautical Star remained in front at the head of the stretch. Don Quesy came under a busy ride as his rider sought a run on the outside, but Supernatural Power offered little and Barnaby also struggled to make headway in behind. Walker kept Nautical Star rolling through the lane, and the pair drew clear for an impressive victory.

Nautical Star covered the mile in a sharp 1:35.3, winning by seven and a half lengths. Barnaby held on for second to complete the exacta. The result closed out a double on the programme for Nunes, while in-form apprentice Tajay Suckhoo recorded a treble on the day.

Racing continues on Sunday with another eleven-race card, with the first post scheduled for 11:50 a.m.