CHIEF COMMANDER prevailed as a commander-in-chief should, and in the process became the first and only creole to record two victories in yesterday's showcase $200,000 Sagicor Independence Cup over 1,800 metres on the turf at Santa Rosa Park, Arima

The seven-year-old son of Freshly Squeezed/Concordia, owned by Poon Tip Stud Farm Limited, trained by John O'Brien and ridden by Brian Harding, galloped away by six lengths from a closing Godspell, a tiring Funky Likeah Train and one-pacing Be Alert in a time of 1:55.2, which was six seconds outside the track record of 1:49 set by Another Decision in 2001.

Yesterday's victory wrote O'Brien's name into the history books as the only trainer to record a hat-trick of wins in this famed turf event.

"I had made a mistake when I said six out of ten, but I had already counted today's victory, my apologies" O'Brien joked.

"The race set up perfectly for him, Divine Bull and Funky Likeah Train took on one another and I was always confident because he trained so nicely".

And successful rider Harding, who had ridden Funky Likeah Train to victory in his last race said he wasn't worried when Funky Likeah Train trackled Divine Bull for the lead.

"They weren't going too fast in front so I waited on them," Harding stated, "I do not how far I won, because I dropped my whip 1 ½ furlongs out".

Blazing sunshine welcomed the Independence holiday crowd and with the turf course looking like a billiards board, Divine Bull set out in front to make all the running. He was haunted by odds-on favourite Funky Likeah Train, with Chief Commander in third, Be Alert on the fence and All For Java and Godspell bringing up the rear.

Funky Likeah Train joined Divine Bull up front as the horses turned into the backstretch. The duo stretched away by a couple of lengths from Chief Commander, with All For Java, Godspell and Be Alert detached from the leaders.

Harding moved Chief Commander into a challenging position heading towards the final half-mile and the gelding cruised past the battling Funky Likeah Train and Divine Bull and shot into a two-length lead. Funky Likeah Train tried to rally, but the "Commander" was already well clear. Only Godspell, who came from last, made late headway to grab second from Funky Likeah Train.

And 2,000-metre Royal Oak Derby on September 24 is turning out to a grudge rematch between beaten CLICO Midsummer Classic winner, Just In Time and beaten favourite Donut Prince.

Yesterday, Donut Prince avenged his defeat with a smooth 5 3/4 lengths success from Just In Time and Macho Uno in a good 1:52.3 to take the 1,750-metre Derby prep.

The Harriram 'Pepsi' Gobin-trained colt, partnered this time around by Heribert Martinez instead of Louis Rodriguez, was settled in third behind A Dream Come True and an unsettled Just In Time.

And when Just In Time dropped A Dream Come True before the halfway stage, Donut Prince came with a sweeping run on his outside that made Just In Time look very pedestrain. The Merlin Samlalsingh-owned colt barrelled down the stretch for a very easy success to set-up a mouth watering rematch in the Royal Oak in 22 days' time.

And juvenile Diamond Man, who prevailed by a 1 3/4 lengths, was forced to pull out all the stops by My Babes to land the 1,000-metre juvenile contest.

In their previous encounter, My Babes finished second to Diamond Man by 3 1/4 lengths and yesterday My Babes, who broke on top, carried the fight to Diamond Man with Ricky Jadoo aboard, suggesting that the Jamaican-bred is nearing the end of a winning sequence.

Trainer Glenn Mendez and Gobin, who was returning from back-to-back suspensions dominated the day's proceedings, winning seven races between them.

Gobin's treble started with a double from Chris Husbands on Damage Control and Most Definitely and ended with Donut Prince. On the other hand, Mendez's four-timer started with Pride 'N' Glory, Diamond Man (Jadoo), Music Maestro (Jadoo) and was concluded by Hot 'N Spicy (Jadoo).

And the Hi-5 bet proved elusive for the holiday punters, forcing a carryover of $67,201.59 to this Saturday's racecard. The club's only hiccup on the card was the electronic tote board, whichdid not function properly throughout the day. And with the odds not appearing on the number three, most patrons were caught off guard. Luckily, no horse carrying that number prevailed.