KINGSTON, Jamaica - On Saturday, February 3, 2024, Paul Swaby's rising star, Kem, clinched a neck-to-neck victory in the George HoSang Trophy's Division Two, signalling promise for the four-year-old's racing future.
Guided by jockey Tevin Foster, Kem edged out Bazinga, ridden by Oneil Mullings, and left Joy Is Golden, with Dane Dawkins up, in third. The contest featured a mix of local and imported horses competing over 5 ½ furlongs.
Swaby, brimming with optimism, shared that with Kem just turning four, and he is improving with each run, but there is a long way to go. I expect further improvement from him coming down the line."
Kem showcased strategic prowess, initially shadowing frontrunner Joy Is Golden, before overtaking and fending off Bazinga's last-ditch effort to win. Clocking a final time of 1:08.2, Kem demonstrated resilience and potential for higher-class challenges.
Swaby reflected on the strategy, "We came confident today seeing that the only other speed in the race was Joy Is Golden. We just had to break sharp and sit just off him and then attack the last two furlongs. He is going up in class, so we will take it one day at a time."
