KINGSTON, Jamaica – The COVID-19 restrictions inclusive of no-movement days saw the first post at 10:30 am on what was mandatory payout day in the Reggae-6 exotic wager.
Despite the early start Reggae-6 betting was robust ending with a pool of over $13 million. In the end, 12 bettors managed to spot the six winners required to win the Reggae-6 with each receiving a payout of $1,114,517. There was no major upset in the six races of the Reggae-6 with two-year-old Golden Wattle coming in at 3-1 and another Anthony Nunes trainee Devine Lexie winning at odds of 6-1, the longest shots in the six-race betting sequence.
Congratulations to the 12 millionaires from THE QUICK GALLOPER!
THE HORSES
The She’s A Maneater Trophy had its inaugural staging, and it was fitting that, trainer Jason DaCosta, the son of the man (late Wayne DaCosta), who designed, crafted, and executed the career of the best filly ever to race on local soil, won this trophy race with King Arthur.
King Arthur (Anthony Thomas) was winning his fourth race of the season and did so with his usual grit and determination, holding off the challenges of Sentient (Shane Ellis) on the inside rails and the lightly weighted Double Crown (Jordan Barrett). Yet one cannot help noticing that the outcome would probably have been reversed had Sentient not encountered traffic woes when in top gear on the rails.
Karma, however, must have played its part, in assuring that the first rendition of the She’s A Maneater Trophy went to the stables where the former Horse of the Year spent her entire career.
The second two-year-old race of the season proved to be problematic. First, two of the main protagonists Bugatti and Deezi were declared late non-starters at the gates, reducing a field of seven runners to five. Then when the gates opened first-timer Princess Alani railed, sending jockey Gordon Gregory to the ground.
Golden Wattle, a chestnut filly by Lion Tamer – Golden Glory trained by champion Anthony Nunes, made full use of the opportunity, to win on debut with the 1-2 favourite Phoenix Risen faltering in the final furlong of four. Note should be taken that Rupunzel (Savoy Stomp – Miss Pasion) has now finished second in the two juvenile races run to date.
THE TRAINERS
Nunes dominated the card with three winners, Golden Wattle, Devine Lexie, and King’s Magician.
At the start of the race day, Nunes was about $120,000 behind Gary Subratie but with the latter winning only one race on the day (Sebastian), the reigning champion is now approximately $800,000 and mash ahead in this championship race – based on preliminary calculations.
A thought has come to the THE QUICK GALLOPER, and it may not be 100 per cent but the thought is still there. We are in August now and this is probably the first time in the last 15-20 years that the names of Nunes and DaCosta do not occupy the top two spots in the trainer’s championship after eight months into the season. Just some food for thought.
Special mention is given to trainer Lorne Kirlew for bringing Lady Magnum to the wicket fit and proper.
THE JOCKEYS
Jockey Dane Dawkins in winning two races (Queen T and Gambler) reinforced the progress he has been making this season. His late winning surge effort aboard the Michael Marlowe trained Gambler, getting up in the nick of time to defeat Anthony Thomas on Let Him Fly, was another indication of how quickly Dawkins is developing his skills in the saddle. Nowadays, he seems to be more confident, winning from in front and coming from off the pace, which are usually key indicators that development is taking place. Long may this progress by Dawkins continue.
Good to see jockey Kiaman McGregor breaking a lean spell on Devine Lexie. McGregor when he started his career (about five years ago) promised much but went completely off-track with the winners coming few and far between. THE QUICK GALLOPER hopes that McGregor finds his true self, and works hard in the mornings for the winners to flow. We need good jockeys around.
