KINGSTON, Jamaica - The fifth race on Saturday, August 24, 2024, honours former Derby winner and top-class campaigner, Distinctly Irish.
The Distinctly Irish Trophy is a three-year-old and upwards Stakes call going nine furlongs.
Six horses are entered, with The Quick Galloper’s assessment provided below in draw order.
1 - NEO STAR enters this engagement on the back of a convincing victory in the class below, Overnight Allowance. Neo Star, despite carrying the light impost of 101 lbs., will find it difficult against these.
2 - FURTHER AND BEYOND finished fifth, eleven lengths behind Funcaandun, Mamma Mia, and Atomica at a mile. With no significant change in the handicaps, Further and Beyond’s task of winning is a challenging one.
3 - FUNCAANDUN after an impressive win at a mile 28 days ago (July 27), beating Mamma Mia and Atomica by 6 ½ and 2 ½ lengths respectively, this foreigner moves up in the handicaps by 17 lbs. Then Funcaandun carried 101 lbs., receiving all of 25 lbs. from Atomica, after defeating the latter by 9 ¼ lengths. While Funcaandun is an improving three-year-old, he faces his hardest task to date at a distance that will probably suit his main protagonist Atomica better.
4 - ATOMICA was not at her best when last at the races (July 27), finishing an undesirable third, 9 ¼ lengths adrift of winner Funcaandun. Returns in the Distinctly Irish to once again face Funcaandun at much better handicaps and over two turns, where Atomica has more appreciation. To win this one, the jockey atop Atomica has to rate her properly as she will be challenged on the headlines, with danger always lurking behind. She must have enough left in her hoofs to maintain a strong gallop in the final two furlongs of the straight.
5 - MAMMA MIA set the splits for most of the way in the same race already mentioned involving Funcaandun and Atomica. This filly is packed with speed, yet there is enough toughness in her make-up to fight to the end. Mamma Mia has already won over two turns in age group company, but against these, the distance is going to prove demanding.
6 - FRED THE GREAT is still trying to find his way into the top group and will benefit from this run.
