KINGSTON, Jamaica - Having demonstrated significantly superior form in the middle of last season, defeat was out of the question for 4-5 favourite Silent Cat trained by Delroy Wisdom and ridden by Roger Hewitt.
Claimed on January 02, this year the six-year-old gelding was held up behind the frontrunners, who gave way in the upper home stretch, to be defeated by nearly 13 lengths over the 1400 metres of the opening event of nine.
Three-year-old filly Bootylicious could hardly be more impressive when she raced for the first and only time on November 05, 2023. Her scintillating exercise spins advertising above average ability made her favourite at 1-5 then and she sprinted 15 lengths clear over the 1100 metres in 1:06.2. Obviously, Bootylicious suffered an undisclosed setback and missed the major races restricted to juveniles last season.
From in front in race two over 1200 metres, Bootylicious won driven out today. Reyan Lewis, riding the first of two winners on the day, did a lot with the reins and his whip to get the promising Ian Parsard conditioned progeny of Key To Power to win by just over a length at odds of 1-9.
This was the first of two for the trainer as well. Truth be told, her connections were fortunate the Richard Azan schooled runner-up Burlap missed the break from the gates. Still Bootylicious is likely to be competitive in the Futurities restricted to her own sex.
Claimed by Christopher Pierre three weeks ago, seven-year-old mare Denbigh Life (5-1) did the trainer a good turn with a comfortable three-length win in the day’s third run at 1000 metres straight. In securing his sixth success this year, champion jockey Dane Dawkins was able to keep the winner in front and on her on the bridle before getting the requisite immediate response 200 metres go clear and claim most of the spoils.
Lewis was back in the winners’ enclosure in race four as late-developing grey colt General Chief (2-1) trained by Spencer Chung came with a strong late effort to get the better of stable companion Muzzo (Aaron Chatrie) as he sprinted home a length and a quarter ahead.
The 1100-metre race five gave enigmatic rider Robert Halledeen the opportunity to enjoy his 400th trip to the local winners’ enclosure with 2-1 shot Rani Bangala. Under a typically flamboyant performance in driving his mount to victory by three parts of a length he appeared to relish the moment. For good measure Halledeen, who has ridden winners in the United States as well, followed up half an hour later with the Jason DaCosta conditioned maiden Whizz Kidd (10-1) in the sixth event over 1000 metres round.
Not to be outdone former three-time champion Anthony Thomas was in double riding form as well. He was at his skillful best aboard Richard Azan’s Laban at odds of 7-1 in the small but hugely competitive field of six all finishing in a space of just over two lengths in the featured Reggae Month Trophy over 1000 metres straight. The winner only three parts of a length superior in a game effort.
Half an hour later Thomas was to remind all that he is the most talented reinsman to emerge in the last six years. Daddy Jones (2-1), a reluctant front runner trained by Dennis Thwaites. stayed on the lead for the entirety of the 1500-metre gallop of race eight. The lead was threatened throughout the stretch drive, but the judgement of pace, balance and expert use of the whip was all demonstrated by the ever-improving young rider to assist his mount to hang on by short head.
Ian Parsard’s second on the nine-race card came in the final event in a spectacular and rare occurrence. Peaky Blinders (9-1) with Jerome Innis for third time consecutively was more than ten lengths late in leaving his post position at the starting gate. The talented progeny of US stallion Mshawish out of the imported mare Visionary Wonder, mended steadily early and more spectacularly in the latter stages to strike the front 100 metres out to score by four and a half lengths.
The Training Feat Award goes to Ian Parsard for the performance of Peaky Blinders who, displayed the Best Winning Gallop while the Jockeyship Award in presented to Anthony Thomas for his double demonstration of the consummate skill set required for success in the close finishes.
