KINGSTON, Jamaica – Marquesas, the winner of the 2018 St Leger and champion two-year-old of 2017, after dealing with health issues and being rested for over 230 days, makes a return to competitive racing tomorrow (July 10) at Caymanas Park.
Marquesas competes in an Overnight Allowance call over one mile.
Below is a look at all 14 runners in this tight race.
ROYAL VIBES: (9-y-o b. g – Royal Minister – November Lace) – Cannot handle these.
SECRET TRAVELLER: (5-y-o b. g – Traditional – Sea Traveller) – Secret Traveller is very much at home here and given the nature of this event, he is expected to run another good race without actually winning.
DRUMMER BOY: (3-y-o b. c – Natural Selection – Preach Preacher) – Durable and capable sort who has been very competitive in all of his races. Sprinted on last but now return to a much more suitable trip and is in with a good chance of winning.
LOTTERY TICKET: (6-y-o b. m – Seeking The Glory – Just a Flutter) – Scratched out her last race on June 30. which was won by stable companion Yaya’s Dream down the straight course. Prior to that non-starting effort, Lottery Ticket finished in second place by ½ length to Zephyr in the Ahwhofah Sprint going 6 furlongs (1,200m). Lottery Ticket came from way off the pace and now getting the real estate, his final rattle can be effective here.
UNCLE VINNE: (5-y-o dkb. h – Bridled Quest – Kathythetraina) – Running well of late but will find these difficult to handle.
MY ELLE BELLE: (4-y-o ch. f – Horse Greeley – Fast Actress) – Slowly but surely rounding into good form but never seems to be able to find the winning post.
BIBLICAL LEGEND: (5-y-o b. m – Storm Craft – Biblical Fury) – Very difficult to win here.
JACKO LINKS: (4-y-o dkb. c – Distorted – Verify) – Cannot handle this class right now.
DONTAE: (5-y-o b. h – Fearless Vision – Eighteen Karat) – Came off an 8-month beak and just failed by 2 ¼ lengths to beat stable companion I Am Di One over 9 furlongs and 25 yards on June 8. Dontae showed no signs of distress in his run and might almost be back to himself. Donate has been campaigning and running well in the classes above in the past and if he is anywhere near his best, then this shouldn’t be a race. Dontae should be watched closely here.
SUNSHINE CAT: (5-y-o ch. m – Twilight Time – Burning Clearance) – Did extremely well to reach this level but is out of her depth.
ANNA LISA: (4-y-o b. f – Adore The Gold – Anne) – Cannot be recommended.
DYSFUNCTIONAL: (6-y-o b. h - He’stherealthing – Luscious) – Dysfunctional has been steadily getting his act together and is expected to be competitive all things being equal. It is left to be seen if he is fit enough to win this one.
BRUCE WAYNE: (5-y-o b. g – Nuclear Wayne – Xpress Card) – Has been running some good races of late but against these winning looks a very tall order for Bruce Wayne.
MARQUESAS: (4-y-o b.c – Coded Warning – Islamorada) – 2017 champion two-year-old returns to competitive racing after a 268-day break. Marquesas last raced on October 15, 2018, in the Nigel B Nunes Memorial Cup over 9 furlongs and 25 yards in which he had finished in second place behind Bigdaddykool. The race ended in a blistering 1:53.0 with Marquesas running 1:54.1 which speaks volume of his ability. In that same race, Marquesas had Dontae 5 lengths behind him in third place and that could create a case for him here but the Michael Marlowe trainee is going to need a run or two under his girth to be fully effective.
FAYROUZ: (4-y-o ch. f – Blue Pepsi Lodge – Princess Geeta) – Scratched out of her last race on June 5. Fayrouz has had two runs so far this season with both being under par performances but now should be even fitter for this one. Based on back performances, Fayrouz should be competitive but if she is to impact on this race, she has to turnaround her form and hit top gear in deep stretch.
