TRIPLE ACCOUNT, running at odds of 10-1 with Larris Allen astride, outfinished the even-money favourite NATURALLY ROYAL under champion jockey Omar Walker by a head, to win the George HoSang Trophy race over the straight five course at Caymanas Park yesterday.

The pre-Guineas day 10-race programme was put on to mark the annual Jamaica Jockeys' Guild raceday. Hence, in addition to the George HoSang Trophy in honour of the legendary jockey who was champion from 1972 to 1975, the card also featured the Al Gopie Memorial Cup, the Jamaica Jockeys' Guild Trophy over 1400 metres and the CTL Stable Riders' Race over 800 metres straight.

A field of 12 overnight horses contested the George HoSang Trophy and, in the end, it resulted in a bang-up finish involving three horses - TRIPLE ACCOUNT, NATURALLY ROYAL and 9-1 chance HIGH ROLLER, who tried to make all on the far rails.

HIGH ROLLER overhauled

HIGH ROLLER galloped on to the main track ahead of highly fancied FIRST TIME LUCKY (2-1) on the stands' side with NATURALLY ROYAL racing prominently in the middle and TRIPLE ACCOUNT not far off.

HIGH ROLLER, however, was overhauled within shades of the wire by TRIPLE ACCOUNT and NATURALLY ROYAL, both closing as a team. The winning distances were a head by half a length.

An American seven-year-old horse by Top Account out of Triple Top, TRIPLE ACCOUNT is owned and trained by Raymond Townsend. Allen, whose winners have been slow in coming this season, said the win was no fluke:

"This horse enjoys galloping over the straight, so I figured that if I can get him to break sharply, he had the pace to race in touch and then kick in where it matters.

Meanwhile, the 9-5 marginal favourite LADY LACHMIN (Javour Simpson up) made most to win the Al Gopie Memorial Cup over the straight (maidens) in a driving finish from second favourite MISS PAM AND ME, while MIDKNIGHT BLUE (7-2) romped the Jamaica Jockeys' Guild Trophy race over 1400 metres with Devon A. Thomas riding for trainer Colin Ferguson.