War Machine put in a dazzling display to record the fastest time of the day at the National Equestrian Centre yesterday.

Driven by Marico Clarke, the Mello Family’s seven-year-old gelding clocked 1:02/3 in heat six of the Free For All division, a race featuring the quickest ponies on the island.

Special Gold achieved the second-fastest time of 1:02/4, a fifth slower than War Machine in heat twelve, another Free For All race, the last outing of the day in which the later could only settle for fourth in 1:03/4.

Clarke was pleased with the horse performance on the day, as he continues to gun for the overall track record of 1:01/1 held by Tyler Lopes's retired mare, Google Me.

“I would take it as a solid one, the track was a little loose, it should have been a bit tighter today,’’ Clarke said.

“I take what the track’s given me, in the second heat, he showed me something a little different.

“I'm very pleased, it’s gradually getting better and better so we just go from there.

“As long as the horse is good, he is in the best position, he can get me the fastest time of the day. I really want the record with me, that’s my ultimate goal.

“In the second race, we tried something different, it seemed to work, a hole opened up and I tried to put him through, I came out a little bit short, but it was good, I take it as a solid day.”

Kiwon Waldron, the driver of Lee and Sergio Raynor’s Special Gold was satisfied with the stud’s performance.

“So far the track’s playing OK, but everybody is starting to go faster, so it’s pretty good so far,’’ Waldron said.

“The first race wasn't so good, he started fourth and finished fourth, so he’s got some work to do there. In the second race, he showed his class and put down a pretty good time.

“I would say satisfactory, the first he could have been better but he got something in the second race.

“He did all the work in the second race, he was in front and it was always going to be tough to overtake him. He likes to go forward when he’s by himself.

“I would say we’re close to contention for winning trophies at the end of the season. We just need another good night, but it’s a lot of good races out there, so its going to be tough.”

Candyce Martin, driver of Double Time, the only mare among the fastest horses, was content with securing third and second in the two races. Double Time had times of 1:04/0 and 1:03/3.

“It was a good day of racing, she ran good and I look forward to the rest of the season with her,’’ she said.

“She finished how she started, I'm happy with her performance. I'm looking forward to New Year’s Day.

“For the amount of rain that we had, the track was good, it was a little heavy.”

Maurice Raynor, the owner and driver of Rockeyed Optimist felt his seven-year-old gelding was consistent, as he maintained his starting position in both races. Rockeyed Optimist recorded 1:03/2 in the first race and 1:03/3 in the second.

“My horse was consistent because it finished where it started,’’ Raynor told The Royal Gazette.

“Rockeyed Optimist is the newest addition to the 1:03 and faster time bar, and my expectation for him is just to keep up and get decent times. If I get a win, that’s fine, but he works this hard for me, and the rewards are coming.

“I just want him to be consistent and stay either in the time bar or near the time bar, which we are accomplishing right now.”

In the first race of the day, the 1:08/-1:09/0** and 1:09/1 and slower, Reel Desire, driven by Teshi Zuill was victorious in 1:11/0. Pokie’s Fly By, with Samantha Hayward at the helm triumphed in the 1:05/4-1:07/4 time bar by crossing the line in 1:06/3.

Shady Maple, steered by Andrew Westerfield took the honours in the 1:04/3-1:05/3, with a time of 1:06/3. Zuill claimed his second race, the 1:05/4-1:07/4 time bar, this time around powering SomeGoldSomewhere to finish in 1:07/2. His third win came in the 1:08/-1:09/0 and 1:09/1 and slower, when he guided Reel Desire to storm over the line in 1:10/0.

Special Tux, driven by Waldron won the 1:05/4-1:07/4 time bar in 1:07/0. Martins drove Gold-N-Glory to first position in the 1:03/1-1:04/2, the race winner’s time being 1:06/1.

Ic's Overextended, a horse handled by Jashaun Young clocked 1:07/4 to claim victory in the 1:04/3-1:05/3 time bar. Nisuje Landy drove Kool The Fire to winning the 1:05/4-1:07/4 in a time of 1:07/1.