KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jockey Dane Nelson demonstrated once again his sheer brilliance in the saddle with a determined and well-judged ride atop 1-2 odds on favourite Above and Beyond to win the 81st running of the Classic Jamaica Oaks just moments ago at Caymanas Park for champion trainer Anthony Nunes.
The Jamaica Oaks is confined to local bred three-year-olds fillies and is contested over 10 furlongs.
The race turned out to be a match race between Another Affair (Robert Halledeen) and Above and Beyond, the second and first respectively in the 1000 Guineas on July 25, 2020.
It was Another Affair who set the splits, 24.2 for two furlongs, 49.1 for four furlongs, 1:12.3 for six furlongs and 1:38.2 for a mile.
Nelson and Above and Beyond kept close to Another Affair who entered the straight with the lead and looked as if she would get the better of her 1000 Guineas conqueror.
Both Halledeen and Nelson were working hard on their mounts with Another Affair not in the mood to give up.
Nelson’s strong handling got Above and Beyond to make a final surge with the winning post fast approaching and this time the filly was able to get in front to win by half-a-length.
“What a brilliant ride by Dane Nelson and what a courageous performance by Another Affair.
“The Oaks was a brilliant race to watch although nerve wracking for us the connections of Above and Beyond.
“Above and Beyond showed her strength and came home on top.
“At this stage, I cannot say if she will run in the St Leger in four weeks time. We will just have to wait and see how she comes out of the race and take it from there,” Nunes said after saddling his third winner on the Oaks Day programme.
Glock (Phillip Parchment) finished third
SPECIAL NOTES
Above and Beyond is the first horse since 2009 when St Cecelia won the Oaks to complete the 1000 Guineas – Jamaica Oaks double.
Above and Beyond was the fourth winner for Dane Nelson on the day.
Nunes was winning his fourth Jamaica Oaks having done so before in 1995 with Exotic Dancer, in 2004 with Latonia, and in 2018 with Fayrouz.
Nelson was winning his second Jamaica Oaks having done so before in 2012 on Exotic Gold.
Above and Beyond was Nunes' third winner Oaks Day.
