MALAINE HABLA’S Istulen Ola lived up to its lofty billing by ruling Sunday’s P1-million Philippine Racing Commission (Philracom) 2YO Maiden Stakes at the Metroturf track in Malvar, Batangas.
The bay colt challenged and put unrelenting pressure on pacesetters Alalum Falls and Sylvia Plath at the onset with a blistering pace in the first 600 meters.
The last 3/8 of a mile told a different story as jockey John Paul Guce made their move.
“Enough of the stalking. Let us take charge,” Guce said of the AC Sordan Jr.-trained galloper to breakaway immediately establishing a three-length lead over Sylvia Plath.
Istulen Ola was well ahead by four lengths over Sonic Clay, which took second, Orange Bell, which wound up third. Stealing Heaven came in fourth, Bandido was fifth and Cole Is A Roll finished sixth.
Istulen Ola clocked one minute and 25.2 seconds with clips of 13-21′-23-28 in the 1,400-meter race. The winning connections earned P600,000.
Philracom Chairman Reli de Leon who was on hand to award the winners’ trophies.
The bay colt, one of the largest to come out this year at 474 kgs, is 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.