California Crown upsets punters to land 2000 Guineas

CALIFORNIA CROWN yesterday upstaged 1-5 favourite and stablemate INTERESTNTIMESAHEAD, leading home a Jason DaCosta 1-2-3 in yesterday’s 2000 Guineas at odds of 3-1 for champion owner Carlton Watson.

Breaking smartly from the wide draw in the nine-horse field, Robert Halledeen had CALIFORNIA CROWN disputing the lead with INTERESTNTIMESAHEAD and CROWN CHASER before enterprisingly going a length clear five furlongs out with the unbeaten colt.

Increasing the margin to two lengths leaving the three pole, CALIFORNIA CROWN straightened three in front of Prince Consort and Kingston winner INTERESTNIMESAHEAD, who tried valiantly to wear down his stablemate.

However, spotty exercise reports returned to haunt INTERESTNTIMESAHEAD, who, appearing well short of his best, had to settle for second as CALIFORNIA CROWN stayed on doggedly to complete a hat-trick of wins in 1:42.3, though two-fifths slower than RUN JULIE RUN’s 1:42.1 among fillies in Saturday’s 1000 Guineas.

Watson’s PROVIDENT closed for third at odds of 26-1, completing the stable trifecta for DaCosta.

CALIFORNIA CROWN closed a three-timer for Halledeen with earlier winners, DaCosta’s TEKAPUNT among $750,000 claimers in the second at six furlongs, and WHIZZ KIDD at a mile in the fifth.

Racing continues on Saturday with the classic season in full swing, heading into July’s Jamaica St Leger at 10 furlongs, a potential battle of the sexes with RUN JULIE RUN possibly taking her chances against the colts and geldings.