KINGSTON, Jamaica – There is nothing more certain in life than change. Nothing, the scientists say ever remains stationary.
The same holds for horse racing in any jurisdiction.
In recent times, say the last two to three years, we have not had a real dominant force, that is, horse, in racing. Whether that is good or bad is another argument that pundits will never agree on.
Since the departure of the outstanding and once-in-a-lifetime filly She’s A Maneater no horse or horses has/have stepped to absolutely wear the crown, and with that mantle, the admiration of those within and outside of the spectrum that is horse racing.
Let’s take a closer look! For a while, the Anthony Nunes trained Toona Ciliata in 2020 and early 2021 was the top-rated horse. However, from time to time, the ‘Big Toona’ would put in a clinker. Toona Ciliata had his issues which eventually led to his retirement earlier this year.
Nipster ended 2020 in a blaze of glory with victory in the Jamaica St Leger, second in the Derby, and then resounding success in the top-rated handicap race, the Ian Levy Trophy. That led, as expected, to Nipster being voted as the 2020 Horse of the Year.
Nipster in 2021 has done nothing to catch the eye and then it became clear that all was not right with him, which eventually saw this Classic winner given time off to recoup. Nipster is expected to return to training in early 2022.
Wow Wow was simply fantastic as a two-year-old and in the early part of his three-year-old season of 2020. He won 11 races in a row to include the 2000 Guineas. Thereafter, Wow Wow like others had his issues and is now standing at stud.
Oneofakind after being around in the 2020 Classic races, made a significant surge, showing vast improvement when winning four consecutive races at the start of this year. Oneofakind too has suffered from injuries that have curtailed his development, but he is in training again and may make an appearance before the end of this year. Let’s hope he does as the quality at the top will be enhanced by his presence.
King Arthur by dint of hard work and doggedness has weaved his way into the top rank and at this stage is probably the highest-rated horse in training right now. Yet, he is still not the dominant force with nine starts and five victories to his credit this year.
Mahogany has won three races from three starts, one in Overnight and the others in Open Allowance. He is now in the top class and is on the cusp of becoming the dominant force that THE QUICK GALLOPER believes is necessary for the continued progress and promotion of horse racing in Jamaica.
From the lot of this year’s three-year-old crop, two, Further and Beyond and She’s A Wonder have signalled their class. Further and Beyond placed in all the Classic races he was eligible for and then after a break of about two months tried Overnight and came out with a dominant performance with a fast time which bodes well for the future.
She’s A Wonder lashed away rivals in Open Allowance and has only tasted defeat once this season in the Jamaica St Leger from seven starts and is the leading stakes earner at this time.
Then there is the Derby winner Calculus, who failed in his first attempt at the Open Allowance level. The hope is that Calculus will learn from that experience.
The conclusion! There are many waiting in the wings to dominate but right now based on THE QUICK GALLOPER’S assessment, the likely three candidates, giving the fact that they are still in training are Mahogany, King Arthur and there is an itchy feeling that Further and Beyond is going to make much progress.
Then again these are just the thoughts and ramblings of one individual – THE QUICK GALLOPER!
