Ridden by Javaniel Patterson, it is congratulations to veteran trainer Errol Waugh for the front-running performance of Antarctica (4-1) in winning the featured 1,800-metre Louis Hitchins Memorial Cup run as the eighth on the 10-race card.
However, it must be considered that well fancied 2023 Classic contenders, Secret Admiral (3rd Jamaica Derby) and Power Of Love (2nd Jamaica Oaks) were withdrawn for different reasons.
In the case of Secret Admiral, he was scratched by the officiating veterinarian, but Power Of Love at odds of 3-5, lost a shoe and could not be risked. Elsewhere in the world the blacksmith on duty would have been transported post-haste to the starting gate to ensure there was no loss to the promoter and the owner abandoned without any benefit from his expenditure to bring her to the race.
Maybe, if there was a return to the post time advertised for the opening events instead of an average of 15-20 minutes late each race day, there would be time to adjust and deal with unforeseen circumstances. Sixty-four years after the establishment of Caymanas operations the conduct of race meetings remains firmly in the realm of an amateur set-up.
Visiting English jockey George Duffield expressed this view in 1969 and in real terms not much has changed. This may be a sport to the cohort of owners, outlaying $2.0 billion for an average of a third of that in purses annually, but it is a business to the promoters.
Run at 1,100 metres, race one was won by Kwaku (2-1), trained by Owen Sharpe and skilfully piloted by Bebeto Harvey for the first of his riding double. Harvey was back in the winners' enclosure half-hour later aboard Pro Johnny (2-1) for owner/trainer Gary Crawford.
Interestingly, 1-2 favourite Rocket Lily darted to the right soon after the start and, in the collision, lost current leading rider Reyan Lewis, who abandoned his four remaining mounts on the card.
In race three, the leading 2020-21 claiming jockey Oshane Nugent on his 105th mount of the season enjoyed only his fifth success riding Jaxson (1-1) for trainer Renex Burrell. The race was contested over 1,300 metres and Jaxson strode in over eight lengths clear at the finish. Again interestingly, 4-5 favourite Another Champion right foreleg gave way 200 metres out causing champion Dane Dawkins to fall and be forced to abandon his four remaining mounts on the card.
Winner of race four, by six-and-a-half lengths, Waterman John (2-1), was dominant over the 1,300 metres of the event for the first of two successes for owner DSTL & Associates (Desmond Lewis), trainer Fitzgerald Richards and jockey Tevin Foster.
The second for the combination came even in more impressive fashion in the nightcap with 5-2 shot A Gift From Ben slamming a perceived competitive field by nine lengths over 1,000 metres straight.
Declared by Andrew McDonald and partnered by two-kilo claiming jockey Shavon Townsend, nine-year-old Loose Cannon (9-5), winner of 10 of 28 races, sprinted to a five-and-a-half lengths margin over the 1,000 metres straight of race five. Whilst over a similar distance in race six, Super Duper (8-5), formerly trained by Jason DaCosta, was always in control of the sprint in the hands of four-kilo claimer Oshadene Robinson for a near four-length triumph.
For recently licensed trainer Lydia Anglin, it was her turn to enjoy acquiring a lifelong memory in saddling the first winner of her career. Ridden by Shamaree Muir, US-bred Three Card Guy (7-5) was the controlling speed for the majority of the 1000 metres round distance. To ensure there was no departure from the norm Ms. Anglin was showered generously by her supporters with sparkling wine.
Debutant, US-bred Desert Of Malibu, schooled by Gary Subratie, looks likely to be an impactful addition to the cohort of imported thoroughbreds. The huge four-year-old chestnut filly did nothing wrong leaving the starting gate and only needed the gentlest of persuasion to score by just under 10 lengths in a 59.4 clocking for a canter over 1000 metres straight of race nine.
There was a scarcity of options for the Training Feat Award, but the recipient is Fitzgerald Richards for the posting of wide-margin winners Waterman John and A Gift From Ben. The Best Winning Gallop was executed by Kwaku with Bebeto Harvey earning the Jockeyship Award for his handling of this mount.
