KINGSTON, Jamaica – The high-octane clash is here! Horse of the Year Nipster makes his first 2021 entrance in the 7 ½ furlongs Grade One Chairman’s Trophy, which will be contested on Saturday, March 20, 2021, at Caymanas Park.
Nipster is pitted against another top campaigner his now stable companion Toona Ciliata, both being trained by champion Anthony Nunes since the start of this year. Nipster was previously conditioned by Gary Subratie.
Let us however start this analysis by ruling out horses whose chances of winning are virtually nil.
These include Superluminal (Natural Selection – Thousand Hills), an obvious filler and Roy Rogers (Distorted – Soca Party) is racing for the first time at this level and needs the run to discover what is required to win in this grade.
Then, there are the horses who are learning the trade at the top. These include recent winners both from Subratie's shed row, Duke (Casual Trick – Lady Macbeth), and Crimson (Nuclear Wayne – Sarah Barracuda). They both won when last and the races, the former at 5 ½ furlongs and the other at a mile.
Duke and Crimson enter the big circle for the first time in fighting fit form, but both will have to run off their hoofs as usual coming from behind to win this prestigious trophy race. Yet, those punters with the urge for outsiders Crimson might be a good each-way wager.
Having taken out Superluminal, Roy Rogers, Duke, and Crimson, we are left with Nipster, Toona Ciliata, Father Patrick, and Sentient.
Father Patrick (Nuclear Wayne – Late Appeal) has been showing major signs of development in recent times, but he is not ready for the likes of the Horse of the Year and his most accomplished stablemate. Plus, Father Patrick has Natalie Berger in the irons, which is not a positive sign.
Sentient (Strikewhileitshot – Lady Geetadeo) has been here at this level before and has been handled time and time again by Toona Ciliata and Nipster. From his previous runs, Sentient gives the impression that he is shy to win against the big ones.
Now to the top two. Nipster (Casual Trick – Nippit) was heavily raced during his three-year-old Classic season, ending the year with a smashing victory in the Ian Levy Trophy (8 ½ furlongs). Some eight lengths behind Nipster then was Toona Ciliata with 126 lb while Nipster had 117 lbs. The two now meet with Nipster having 126 lb in his back and Nipster 121 lb.
Nipster is well rested and Toona Ciliata comes in after a scintillating victory at 6 1/2 furlongs. They have been primed and punters are awaiting a titanic contest between the two but with the rest, the nod is given to four-year-old Nipster over the five-year-old Toona Ciliata.
Truly a race to savour.
