The new season commenced without any sort of fanfare and no promise came from either promoter Supreme Ventures Racing & Entertainment (SVREL) or the Jamaica Racing Commission as to their view of the future in terms of specific deliverables for the development of the industry.
The promoting company endures continuous criticism from the Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders and the United Racehorse Trainers Associations when it is collective ignorance of the operatives of these entities which is failing to give the promoting company a viable racing product.
Truth be told, over the last 33 years the industry has not had the benefit of visionary leadership either from regulator and promoter and the owners continue to think the flawed claiming system is a viable racing product from which meaningful purse returns can emerge.
Nothing will change until there is a return to a proper classification of the horse population to ensure the majority of races offered become really profitable sales units. After 33 years of claiming and eight years after divestment, the racing plant is still pure ramshackle and less races annually are now the norm.
Saddled by Ryan Darby for the five furlongs straight opening event, 4-5 favourite Phoenix Risen ridden by veteran Paul Francis was just over five lengths better than nearest rival.
In race two, run at four furlongs straight Tribal Chief (3-5), ridden by Omar Walker to open a riding double and a triple for Anthony Nunes’ expansive barn, won by three and a half lengths.
Over the five-and-a-half furlongs of race three, in another glaringly unprofitable event, 1-5 favourite Sensational Move, declared by Gary Subratie won by over six lengths for 2022 champion Dane Dawkins to secure the first of a riding double.
A former six-time champion, Walker confirmed his riding double and Nunes’ second of three aboard 7-1 bet Prince Amaan in race four over the maximum straight course distance.
Popular reinsman Larris Allen guided Matriarch (5-1), entered by Cashbert Khwalsingh, to score by a length and a half over the three and a half furlongs of race five.
Former two-time champ Shane Ellis rode the first a double with 2017 Jamaica Derby winner Drone Strike (2-1) coming home five lengths clear the end of the seven-furlong race six. Drone Strike was declared by owner/trainer Paul “Sleepy” Charlton.
The seventh and featured SVREL Fan Appreciation Day Trophy went as expected to 1-5 bet Commandant (USA), fresh from finishing just over one length third in the 2024 Mouttet Mile.
This nine-furlongs- &-25 yards Overnight Allowance event is as many as three classes below that level. Ridden by champion Raddesh Roman, the Rohan Crichton conditioned bay horse dominated from early and won by eight lengths. This, another prime example of the seriously flawed claiming system militating against the viability of SVREL by the inevitable non-competitive wagering.
Race eight was the traditional New Year’s Day Trophy and from a position of a sponsored event for a higher class it was run as an event restricted to four-year-old and upwards non-winners of two races which is another indicator in the deterioration of the racing product.
The winner Smart Trick (2-1) made all over the six and a half furlongs to secure the Ellis riding double and the three-timer for the Nunes stables.
Runner-up by a neck in the 2024 Mouttet Mile Legacy Isle (USA) was the 1-2 favourite for the seven-furlong Open Allowance ninth event.
With the favourite unable to complete the course for reasons yet to be disclosed, 2-1 bet Run Julie Run, the entry of trainer Ian Parsard, was always clear to score by nearly six lengths and confirm the riding double of Dane Dawkins.
Parsard is to be commended for the continued improvement in the progressive form of Run Julie Run to dominate in her most exacting test to date.
