KINGSTON, Jamaica - TOP ten trainer Patrick Lynch, currently in fourth with over $10 million in stakes earned for his owners from 16 wins, continues to demonstrate that hard work is the key to success in a hugely competitive environment. Another 40 training permits will be issued in due course, increasing the cohort of practitioners closer to 150 and thus making things more interesting going forward.
Gone A Negril (9-5), turned out in immaculate condition by the shrewd conditioner, overcame a poor beginning and was best in the 1200-metre opener for infrequently engaged Chris Douglas to win a race from his seven rides this year. This was the first of three on the day for Lynch’s outfit as Cataba (5-2) led and ran well inside the last 200 metres to be a length and a half clear at the end of the 1100-metre contest of race four.
Javaniel Patterson (12) rode Cataba and only had a wait of half-hour to close a double aboard four-year-old Potential (5-1), the maiden colt who chiselled out a one-length advantage in race five over 1300 metres and secured the third for the well-populated stable of Lynch. This was Patterson’s third winner from the nine opportunities he secured from the 19 races in the two-day weekend race cards.
The second event over 1100 metres was a gift presented to Den Street (1-2), saddled by Dennis Thwaites for former three-time champion Anthony Thomas (21), to emulate the feat of Patterson over the two-day race meet.
Sir Frederick (5-1), now — at thirteen years old — the oldest in training and running for the 63rd time, won for the tenth occasion. The aged gelding sprinted gamely for Reyan Lewis (30) in a battle with Tevin Foster (31) aboard 6-5 favourite Colour Me Tan. The photo technology registered and displayed a winning advantage of a short head at the end of the 900 metres of race three.
The Maiden Condition sixth event, restricted to three-year-olds, was won by curiously named débutante From Sheer To Ben (4-5), with Linton Steadman (07) at the reins doing the additional schooling over the 1200 metres. By any standard this was a belated debut, and conditioner Alford Brown did a professional job in preparing the promising colt for a winning first appearance.
The seventh, staged over 1820 metres for the Aston Commock Memorial Trophy, generated a couple of talking points. The narrative mainly focused on former six-time champion Omar Walker’s (10) narrow defeat on Sonny T And Chippy (2-1) who was worn down by 12-1 shot Fly Messenger Fly (Roger Hewitt (13) after leading from 800 metres out. It is a major factor that the runner-up had not raced since last November but the pundits still took issue with Walker’s performance regarding the winning margin of a head.
Many were irked by the fact the 1-2 favourite Sunset Silhoutte was also saddled by winning trainer Jason DaCosta and finished third. However, in fairness to the champion and leading conditioner, Fly Messenger Fly was only three lengths adrift of Sunset Silhoutte in their previous race, and the strong pace suited the late-running style of the latter in this race. Sunset Silhoutte was less than two lengths away, leaving no doubt both were well prepared by DaCosta to compete.
Matthew Bennett (04) rode Shrewsbury Norm (3-1) for trainer Ryan Darby to win the eighth over the 1000-metre straight course for popular owner Nadon. It was mixed fortune for the stable in general and Nadon in particular, with his May Sellington disqualified from third in race six and Cotterwood Kathy falling in race seven.
Press Conference (3-1) won the closing event run over 1000 metres straight for owner/breeder/trainer Carl Anderson. A consistent enough five-year gelding, Press Conference toted top weight (57 kilos) to repeat an identical feat five weeks prior and was ridden by migrant Panamanian reinsman Ameth Robles who was on his eighth mount and only winner since his recent return to riding at Caymanas Park.
The Training Feat Award is presented to Alford Brown for the mature run of From Sheer To Ben in delivering the Best Winning Gallop. The Jockeyship Award goes to Roger Hewitt for his performance aboard Fly Messenger Fly with his judgement of pace and athletic ability when and where it mattered in the gallop.
