- IAN ALLEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
LEFT: RANSOM MAN being garlanded after winning the Digicel Jamaica Derby at Caymanas Park four weeks ago.
CENTRE: RICARDO MAKYN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Former champion jockey Percy Williams seems mighty pleased as he guides ALLIEDFORCE towards the winners' enclosure after winning the 66th running of the $2 million Lotto Classic for the Governor's Cup at Caymanas Park on Saturday.
RIGHT: IAN ALLEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
SWING BY winning the Jamaica Oaks on April 22 at Caymanas Park.Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
RANSOM MAN, who romped the June 3 Digicel Derby, is a hot ante-post favourite to follow up in the season's final classic, the $2.75 million Jamaica St. Leger at Caymanas Park today.
Trained by Eraldo Fullerton, RANSOM MAN heads a field of nine native-bred three-year-olds down to contest the mile and quarter feature which also includes the 2000 Guineas hero RAMPAGE, the Lotto Classic (Governor's Cup) winner ALLIEDFORCE and the 1000 Guineas and Oaks heroine SWING BY.
Also in the line-up is the Derby runner-up HIDALGO, a stable-companion of SWING BY. Both hail from the stables of champion trainer Wayne DaCosta who appears to have a good hand.
Significantly, RANSOM MAN will be seeking to follow in the footsteps of MIRACLE MAN, who last year won both the Derby and St. Leger with Florida-based Jamaican jockey Allen Maragh aboard.
HIDALGO, who, like RANSOM MAN was unraced at two, was outstayed by the latter in the Derby, but is poised to get closer over the shorter distance of the St. Leger, especially with leading jockey Trevor Simpson now taking the ride.
Title-chasing jockey Charles Hussey has deserted his Derby ride HIDALGO in preference to the filly SWING BY, on whom he won the Guineas and Oaks.
SWING BY, who missed the Derby, is easily the best prepared horse in the race, galloping 5-1/2 furlongs in a fast 1:05.3 in a recent exercise spin and seven furlongs in 1:27.0 easily. She should make a brave bid.
The Richard Azan-trained RAMPAGE looked awesome when slamming ALLIEDFORCE and HIDALGO in the April 1 2000 Guineas, but indications are they have improved and he has trained off.
IN A DIFFERENT LEAGUE
It all comes back to RANSOM MAN, who looked to be in a different league when winning the Derby by the resounding margin of 9-1/4 lengths in the fairly good time of 2.35.1.
RANSOM MAN has come on to such an extent that we are yet to see the best of this Ghost Ransom - Dame O'Mandy offspring.
Champion jockey Brian Harding is reported to have said that he had so much horse under him at the halfway stage of the Derby that he could have shot into the lead with RANSOM MAN from the half mile.
The stronger pace anticipated today (with Swing By now present) should suit RANSOM MAN just fine and having looked the part at exercise, galloping seven furlongs in 1:28.4 (easily), the last six in 1:15.3, whatever beats him will surely win.
Other firm fancies on the card are TOOT THE HOOT to open his account in the first race for two-year-olds, HIGH GRADE in the 4th, unbeaten JET BLASTER to make it four straight in the 5th, BEAT THE DRUM in the 7th and EXPLOSIVE PEAK in the 9th for overnight allowance horses.
