Daquis flashes old form, steers mount to victory

Former Class A jockey Manolito Daquis proved he still got what it takes to win in big-time racing as he steered King Asa to a come-from-behind victory over La Signorina in the Philracom Invitational Race for Class C Jockeys at the San Lazaro Park in Carmona, Cavite yesterday.

Still five lengths away from La Signorina as they swung for home, King Asa crept into the picture down the stretch and behind Daquis’ expert handling, the three-year-old horse foiled La Signorina’s wire-to-wire bid by snatching the victory in a photo-finish.

King Asa’s victory won a guaranteed prize of P240,000 for the De Ubago stable while La Signorina took the P90,000 second purse in the event that featured the country’s top class c jockeys.

Uncle Buck, with EM Sagala on the saddle, finished third in the 1,600-meter event while top favorite Court General limped home in fourth place under the reins of Miguel Recosana. — Ramon Romualdez