Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer
( L - R ) RAMPAGE and ALLIED FORCE
TOMORROW'S MASSIVE 14-race programme at Caymanas Park will be highlighted by the 86th running of the Digicel Jamaica Derby to be contested by 13 native bred three-year-olds over 2400 metres.
Included in the lineup is the April 1 2000 Guineas winner RAMPAGE who can keep his Triple Crown hopes alive by winning tomorrow.
Significantly, leading jockey Charles Hussey, who rode the Richard Azan owned and trained RAMPAGE in the 2000 Guineas and also in the May 13 Lotto Classic (Governor's Cup) in which he finished fourth to ALLIEDFORCE under top weight of 57.0kg, has switched to the Wayne DaCosta-trained HIDALGO.
HIDALGO was a fast-finishing third in the mile and quarter Lotto Classic, getting up within shades of the wire to pip a fading RAMPAGE with the 17-1 outsider RANSOM MAN running above himself to finish 1 1/4 lengths second.
CRACK AT RICH PRIZE
Both ALLIEDFORCE and RANSOM MAN are back for a crack at this rich prize, with leading all-time classic winning jockey Winston Griffiths down to ride him for the first time and champion jockey Brian Harding taking the ride on the lightly raced but fast improving RANSOM MAN, who was unraced as a two-year-old.
RANSOM MAN is trained by Eraldo Fullerton who controls a small string of horses. But hopes are high in his camp, especially after the bay gelding by Ghost Ransom out of the Wise Emissary mare Dame O'Mandy turned heads at exercise last Saturday morning when galloping 12 furlongs, the last seven in 1:28.1.
RANSOM MAN was staying on well at the finish of the Lotto Classic and should have little difficulty staying the Derby distance.
True, he carried only 50.0kg in the Lotto Classic and is now being asked to sit level with ALLIEDFORCE who not only beat him, but gave him 3.0kg as well and of course, RAMPAGE who enjoys a 7.0kg swing in the weights.
But Fullerton can take comfort in the fact that RANSOM MAN is improving at the right time and has tremendous scope.
Another improving sort is CLASSY BOY PETE from the stables of 14-time champion trainer Philip Feanny. Also unraced as a two-year-old, the bay gelding by Royal Minister out of Secret Pleasure will certainly not start favourite, but he enters the race as one of the most improved three-year-olds in training.
Last Saturday, CLASSY BOY PETE slammed a useful field of three-year-olds over 1400 metres in fast time and with five-time champion jockey Trevor Simpson electing to ride him once again, could make it close.
INTERESTING DERBY
One should also take note of the fact that Feanny has won four of the last five Derbies - I'MSATISFIED in 2000, SIMPLY MAGIC in 2002, A KING IS BORN in 2003 and DISTINCTLY IRISH in 2004.
The likes of ALLIEDFORCE, RAMPAGE, HIDALGO, RANSOM MAN and CLASSY BOY PETE should make it the most interesting Derby in years.
There was a lot to like about the manner in which ALLIEDFORCE won the Lotto Classic and even though 4.0kg worse off with RAMPAGE, this chestnut colt by Market Rally out of the Element mare Royal Colours is bred to stay and can get the job done over a mile and a half.
RAMPAGE is still the class horse of the field, but found little in the closing stages of the Lotto Classic and is stamina is in question. However, Azan raced him in the visor for the first time then and it is interesting to note that he has removed it for this race.
HIDALGO made up a tremendous amount of late ground in the Lotto Classic and should relish the additional 400 metres, while RANSOM MAN could be anything.
Truly, a race worth going miles to see.
