Mamdeen gets into the Hastings groove with double

VANCOUVER, Canada (CMC):

JAMAICAN JOCKEY Christopher Mamdeen won two of his three races to taste success in the newly minted season at Hastings and take the spotlight on Friday’s seven-race card.

The 32-year-old partnered with 2-1 chance JERSEY LILLIE to capture race four before returning with 7-1 choice MISS THE HYPE to win race six, both winners coming for trainer and owner Robert Maybin.

He missed out in race two over six- and a half furlongs, finishing down the field with 9-1 bet LOGICAL AL.

Mamdeen, who arrived here last year, has three wins from eight rides in the season, which got under way on April 27.

He opened his account over six and a half furlongs when he guided the six-year-old chestnut mare JERSEY LILLIE to victory by three-quarters of a length over the three-year-old and upward fillies and mares.

Favourite RICHARDS COMMAND led early under pressure from JERSEY LILLIE, with 22-1 bet STAR FINALITY, ridden by Trinidadian Brian Boodramsingh, also in contention.

JERSEY LILLIE put her head in front leaving the turn to gain control of the race but then had to fend off the fast-finishing 6-1 chance ZETAMARIE before getting to the wire first.

Mamdeen’s second came with the five-year-old brown mare MISS THE HYPE beating the three-year-old and upward fillies and mares by a length.

MISS THE HYPE stalked while favourite LASTING LIGHT, ridden by Trinidadian Learie Seecharan, along with ROSE OF TEXAS and AMANDA, all contested the lead.

Mamdeen then produced a sterling drive along the rails to reel in the leaders and hit the wire strongly.

Trinidadian Ridge Balgobin also rode a winner on the day’s card when he teamed up with favourite BRIAN’S DE LEIGHT to edge the three-year-olds and upward over six-and-a-half furlongs in race two.