DaCosta’s Pepper Stepper upsets applecart

UNITED States-bred PEPPER STEPPER yesterday outsprinted fellow American OF A REVOLUTION to land the Gerry Skelton Memorial Cup, capitalising on a 15lb advantage at five furlongs straight.

Partnered by claiming rider Shaheem Gordon, three-year-old PEPPER STEPPER made it two wins in a row and his fourth career victory from six starts, winning at odds of 5-1 in a fast 58.2, beating topweight OF A REVOLUTION by three lengths.

OF A REVOLUTION, the 7-5 favourite, raced prominently to snatch second from 2000 Guineas winner, SALUTE THE DON, who tried pressing PEPPER STEPPER but lacked the speed of the American, who ran the field of overnight-allowance runners off their legs in an opening quarter of 23.0 before zipping the half-mile in 45.4.

PEPPER STEPPER was one of two winners on the 10-race card from champion trainer Jason DaCosta, whose PUROSANGUE beat three rivals at a mile in the seventh event.

DaCosta’s rival, Anthony Nunes, also saddled two winners, back-to-back races, starting with 13-1 upsetter BRAHMA BULL in the third and SOORYAVANSHI in the fourth for two-year-old maidens at four furlongs straight.

Claiming rider Tajay Suckoo rode two winners, TUTS in the second, beating optional $350,000 claimers, and WHISPERING MAGIC for Gary Griffiths, outfinishing RAPIDA at five furlongs straight in the sixth event for five-year-olds, non-winners of two races.

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