Patriarch blinds rivals with speed

PATRIARCH used blazing speed, splits of 22.4, for the opening quarter, and 45.0, for the first half-mile, to obliterate rivals in yesterday's five-furlong straight Customer Service Department Trophy race, easily winning his second open-allowance event on the trot, completing a hat-trick of victories.

PATRIARCH, treasured by Fitzgerald Richards after picking up the speedster as a sacrificial claimer from Anthony Nunes' first champion-trainer bid three years ago, used his terrifying pace to coast the first four furlongs before clocking 58.2 at his favourite trip.

The exacta was predictable, stablemate GOD OF LOVE, another miltiple winner since claimed from Nunes, chased home PATRIARCH for a second consecutive race after completing the exacta in the six-furlong St Catherine Cup on January 15.

Favourites dominated the Sunday programme, even-money choice PATRIARCH being among seven on the nine-race card, frustrating bettors hoping for upsetters.

Title-chasing Robert Halledeen closed the gap on leading rider Dane Dawkins to five, moving to 10 winners, with his victory astride PATRIARCH.

Racing continues at the weekend with another Saturday-Sunday meet.