KINGSTON, Jamaica - Following a third consecutive win by the four-year-old chestnut filly, Desert of Malibu, on Sunday, October 29, 2023, the US-bred horse has advanced to the Overnight Allowance level.
By reaching this grade, Desert of Malibu qualifies for the St Elizabeth Distaff – a mile-long race exclusive to fillies and mares – scheduled for Jamaica Cup Day on Saturday, November 11, 2023.
However, even if the Gary Subratie-trained Desert of Malibu triumphs in the St. Elizabeth Distaff, her participation in the prestigious Mouttet Mile on December 2 is uncertain.
The qualification rules for the Mouttet Mile depend on stakes earned from the Overnight class and above; four starting stalls are reserved for foreign horses brought specifically for this event. As Desert of Malibu was not imported to race in the Mouttet Mile, she does not qualify.
Trainer Subratie elaborates: "Desert of Malibu arrived earlier this year for breeding purposes rather than exclusively for racing in the Mouttet Mile. As she arrived late in the breeding season, her owner decided to race her instead. Stakes earned from her three victories thus far do not count toward Mouttet Mile eligibility since only monies earned in Overnight and beyond are considered."
Subratie adds that even if Desert of Malibu wins the St. Elizabeth Distaff, she may not be among the certain starters in the Mouttet Mile due to stiff competition with other locally bred and foreign horses that have been competing longer and amassed more stakes.
The trainer suggests reconsidering entry rules for future races: "An automatic entry system should be implemented for winners of certain races irrespective of stakes earned before or after." He believes these races should include St. Elizabeth Distaff, Port Royal Sprint, and Jamaica Cup.
Regarding Desert of Malibu's most recent victory on Sunday, Subratie was thrilled: "This filly has her challenges, but there's no doubt she has great potential. Her performance timing of 1:05.2 for 5½ furlongs is a testament to her quality and future capabilities. She requires delicate treatment and personal care, but the stable has done an excellent job maintaining her so far and we hope to continue that way."
5 Responses
The fastest horses over a mile should be automatic qualifications people want to see the best milers not the best money makers gosh from august to the last two weeks of November the racing secretary should have at least two mile races in the highest class to gain nomination it's not rocket science
Very true Gary the racing secretary needs to revamp the writing of races there are no 10 furlong races for top class horse which is sad every race week is mostly sprint
True. A re-look is necessary.
It can't be the fastest. There are too few races at a mile.
That's why the racing secretary must make the change race value150 thousand us and we have mostly sprinters running for it over a mile a middle distance race what's needed for this particular race is the best horses over the mile journey and the only way you can have any idea is time wise judge the horses by the times they run over the mile that will qualify them not monies because most of the trainers will end up over racing their horses to reach certain amount hence endangering the horses health it's simple to figure out and come to a answer