DON KWESI yesterday staked his claim as the best local-bred in training, closing a hat trick of wins by chasing down speedy 2024 Guineas winner, CALIFORNIA CROWN, in the Harlequin Cup at five and a half furlongs.

Local-breds, led by DON KWESI, CALIFORNIA CROWN, and ZULU WARRIOR, rained on the parade of American DESERT OF MALIBU, who was highly fancied at even-money after easily beating overnight-allowance runners in April’s Easter Sprint Cup.

Hunting points to secure a gate in December’s rich grade-one events, the US$300,000 Mouttet Mile or US$100,000 Bruceontheloose Sprint in which she had placed third behind OF A REVOLUTION and MONEY MARKET last year, DESERT OF MALIBU was run off her legs by CALIFORNIA CROWN down the backstretch.