Istulen Ola displays winning form.
Habla’s Istulen Ola stamps class
MELAINE Habla’s Istulen Ola proved to everyone that he was the perfect example of a top favorite as he mowed down the compatition in Sunday’s P1-million Philracom 2YO Maiden Stakes at the Metroturf track in Malvar, Batangas.
The bay colt, one of the largest to come out this year at 474 kgs., another progeny of the very prolific Melaine Habla stallion Brigand (also the sire of Triple Crown two-leg winner Basheirrou), this time out of Close Haul, challenged and put unrelenting pressure on the pacesetters (Alalum Falls and Sylvia Plath) right from the start of the race evidence by the blistering first 600 meters.
The last 3/8 of a mile told a different story as jockey John Alvin Guce practically said, “Enough of the stalking. Let us take charge,” as he egged the AC Sordan Jr.-trained galloper to breakaway immediately establishing a three-length lead ahead of Sylvia Plath.
At the wire Istulen Ola was well ahead (four lengths) of Sonic Clay which took second with Orange Bell in tow for third while Stealing Heaven mustered enough to take fourth, Bandido grabbing fifth place and Cole Is A Roll coming in sixth.
Total time of the race 1:25.2 with clips of 13-21′-23-28 for the 1400 meter journey.
The winning connections earned P600, 000 for the victory.
The rest of the prize money distribution was P200,000 for second, P100,000 for third, P50 thousand for fourth, P30,000 for fifth and P20,000 for sixth.
Philracom Chairman Reli de Leon who was on hand to award the winners’ trophies said,
“Congratulations to the winners. And to the bayang karerista, this is a preview of the level of competion in the coming Juvenile Stakes Series and a peek at possible Triple Crown contenders for next year.”
