On his way to another three-timer, leading reinsman Tevin Foster, had the perfect start with 5-2 bet Absolute Blue cantering over rivals in the opening event.
Run at a distance of five furlongs round, the Ryan Darby-trained six-year-old bay horse ran in isolation from the top of the home straight to score by over 11 lengths.
Reyan Lewis, the reigning titlist, had his only success courtesy of a return to form by burly sprinter Loyal Action (9-5) declared by Paul Swaby for the 1300 metres of race two. This was Lewis’ 19 of the season and it is unlikely he will mount a defense of his status with Foster on 56 and Raddesh Roman on 46 at the start of the race day.
Owned and trained by hardworking second season trainer Barrington Bernard, former Philip Feanny inmate Heroine (6-1) was three lengths the best in a field of seven runners under a typically smooth performance by jockey Youville Pinnock.
Veteran trainer Patrick Fong opened his 2024 account belatedly with Sir Wong Don (1-2) landing race four over 1200 metres.
Foster for his second, returned to hallowed space of the winner’s enclosure with Who Doneit just over four lengths clear at the end of the 1300-metre gallop of race five. Trainer Arnold Rambally Jnr, also a part-owner, enjoyed his first success this season.
Rambally only had to wait half 45 minutes to confirm an exceedingly rare stable double with 8-5 favourite Boasey. Partnered by three-kilo claimer Marshall Porter, the four-year-old Casual Trick filly was just over three lengths clear over the 1000-metres straight course.
In race seven Roman rode the Anthony Nunes trained three-year-old debutante Supremasi (3-5) for the first of a riding double. The tall, strong promising colt with plenty of scope for improvement was the slowest to respond when the gates opened. However, despite racing wide and greenly, Roman was able to keep him focused to secure victory by a length and a quarter.
Race eight for the featured I’msatisfied Trophy, 2023 Jamaica Derby hero Ability (2-1), owned and trained by Fitzgerald Richards, produced a memorable late turn of foot to better 5-1 bet I Am Fred (USA) close home thus securing the spoils by a head. In closing his three-timer Foster takes a lot of credit for his timing and decision-making acumen to challenge successfully on the far rails.
In the ninth and final, run at 1100 metres, Roman got a rousing reception from his supporters for victory aboard the Philip Feanny-trained US-importee Inspire Force (3-1) to close his double. Warmed up extensively, the four-year-old chestnut colt came from nearer last than first over this trip where he won in June last year. It was a convincing display of finishing speed by Inspire Force (USA), who could build on this success.
