KINGSTON, Jamaica - The majority of horses competing in the Classic Jamaica St Leger on Saturday next (July 3) completed their preparations for the 10-furlong event over last weekend.
Winner of the 1000 Guineas (three-year-old fillies only), She’s A Wonder, trained by Ian Parsard, was on the track on Sunday (June 27) with an easy 1:23.3 for six furlongs.
“We have had no issues with She’s A Wonder since she won the Guineas (June 5). She has prepared well and we just await her participation in the St Leger,” Parsard shared.
As for the surprise withdrawal of Big Juve from the St Leger, Parsard said: “He came out of the race with a slight niggle, so the decision was taken not to push Big Juve at this stage. We want him to rest and for us to properly prepare him for the Derby in August.”
Winner of the 2000 Guineas (three-year-old colts and geldings only), Miniature Man, trained by Jason DaCosta, galloped seven furlongs also on Sunday morning clocking 1:30.1 for the distance.
Champion trainer Anthony Nunes will probably have four starters, Further and Beyond, Nuclear Noon, Bern Notice, and Santorini, in the St Leger.
The first three mentioned all had their final gallops on Saturday (June 26). Further and Beyond, third in the 2000 Guineas, galloped 1:13.2 for six furlongs; Nuclear Noon, second in the 2000, completed six furlongs in 1:14.0; and Bern Notice, fifth in the 2000 was clocked at 1:09.1 for 5 ½ furlongs.
“Well, we have, hopefully, four taking part in the St Leger; we had our final gallops this morning, Saturday, June 26, so we have a week to see how everybody settles into their preparation, with Further and Beyond so far so good. Further and Beyond and Nuclear Noon worked really well this morning [Saturday] galloping over six furlongs, and they both came through those gallops well and intact. I was pleased with both their gallops.
“Bern Notice worked and he also looked really well. The effort by Bern Notice left me really pleased.
“Santorini is now in the St Leger, so let us see how he will do. He [Santorini] ran a good race on Monday last. He should have won the race but he got distracted in the last half-a-furlong, pulling himself out and ended up not winning.
“I foresee this race as a good contest in the making should, and if, all the runners remain sound, healthy and fit, then we will have a good race for all to enjoy,” Nunes said.
Second in the 1000 Guineas, Amy The Butcher, trained by Patrick Fong, was also completing her work on Saturday morning. Amy The Butcher galloped four furlongs in a time of 49.4.
The bang in-form trainer Gary Subratie, who had a triple on Saturday (June 26), told this publication that he will be starting two horses in the St Leger.
“My two for the St Leger are Calculus to be ridden by Shane Ellis and T Brady. I have decided not to start Heavenly Glitter.
“Of my two horses, probably the one with the best chance of winning is Calculus. He did an easy seven furlongs on Sunday, working with Sentient clocking 1:31.1.
“Both horses are in good nick, and I am hoping for the best,” Subratie said.
