Howard Hamilton

Recently, there has been much discussion on the awesome quality of MIRACLE MAN and how he compares with other horses of previous years.

I have always found these arguments to be of interest only because of the memories which they rekindle.

We have the same sort of arguments with cricket enthusiasts and at the end we all agree to disagree and call for another 'Q' of Vodka.

'There is no doubt that MIRACLE MAN is a fantastic racing machine and ranks with the best that has ever raced here - EROS, LEGAL LIGHT, A KING IS BORN, WAR ZONE, MENUDO, I AM SATISFIED and many others of less recent vintage. MENUDO deserves special mention since he won our richest race - the Red Stripe Superstakes - four years in succession.

When he won in 2002, this was his only race for the year after which he was retired. Among the imported horses of recent times names like BLUEMENTHAL, TEMPERANCE OAKS, and QUIET STRENGTH come to mind. These arguments should continue with the understanding that they will always be those with strong views but we are all winners - lovers of the greatest sport of all.

I was a bit surprised that, my colleague, Vin Lumsden writing recently. missed the point I was trying to make on the divestment issue. My reference to the divestment of the Government-owned National Rums Ltd., was to indicate that here was an example of enlightened management being able to attract investment - local and overseas - for the acquisition and expansion of a company with a less than healthy blance sheet.

The fact that we were guided in our deliberations by the Ministry of Agriculture - in particular the minister, is of some significance. I mentioned that experience to show that there was no reason why the divestment of Caymanas Track Ltd. could not have been handled in a similar manner.

Divestments going nowhere

Maybe those who doubted me in the beginning will now see the light of day - divestment, as currently structured, is going nowhere and conditions will continue to deteriorate at Caymanas Park until the stakeholders have the 'testicular fortitude' to close down the place. The words of the Persian poet are so prophetic:

"Ah love, Could you and I with fate conspire to grasp this sorry scheme of things entire

Would not we shatter it to bits and then remould it closer to the hearts desire!"

YEARLING SALE

I must remind readers of the annual yearling sale scheduled for Sunday, November 12 at 9.00 a.m. in the official car park at Caymanas Park. One hundred and seventy-one yearlings are being offered for sale. Those who have had a chance to visit the farms all speak highly of the quality being offered this year.

There was a time when imported horses 'ruled - locally-bred horses are holding there own so those who speak of poor quality of our local breds should be reminded that we beat the imported horses on a regular basis - remember A KING IS BORN and LIL COUNTRY BOY?

The Owners and Breeders Association is excited about this year's sale, especially since we understand that quite a number of buyers will be attending from Barbados and Trinidad.

The Trinidadians, in particular will be here in even larger numbers especially after the performance of SWING BY and other Jamaican breds in their races. We are hoping that this will be a bumper year for sales.

Unfortunately, we will see most of the horses going overseas, which is excellent for the encouragement of the breeding industry but not very good for the development of our own racing programmes.

I am, however, assured that there are enough "lame and paraplegic nags" to fill the claiming tags and there is even some thought of introducing a lower tag for those who are totally paraplegic, so that they do not complete with the partial paraplegics in the higher grades. The sad thing is that this state of affairs is no longer funny.

BREEDERS' CUP

On a bright note, this weekend highlights the Breeders' Cup World Championship of Racing, which rivals Dubai as the richest day for thoroughbred racing.

Here we have the best running with the best, guided and trained by the best. Churchill Downs is the venue this year,. And as usual, you will have my "expert" selections:

1 Breeders Cup

Juvenile Fillies $ 2,000,000

1. OCTAVE. 2. DREAMING OF ANNA

2 Breeders Cup Juvenile $2,000,000

1. SCAT DADDY 2. CIRCULAR QUAY 1.10

3 Breeders Cup Filly & Mare Turf $ 2,000,000

1 OUIJA BOARD 2. WAIT A WHILE 1.55

4 TVG Breeders Cup Sprint

$2,000,000

1. HENNY HUGHES2. POMEROY 2.35

5 Breeders Cup Mile $ 2,000,000

1.GORELLA 2. ARAGORN 3.15

6 Breeders Cup Distaff $ 2,000,000

1.FLEET INDIAN2. PINE ISLAND 3.55

7 Breeders Cup Turf

$ 3,000,000

1. HURRICANE RUN 2.CACIQUE 4.35

7 Breeders Cup Classic

$ 5,000,000

My nap selections

Best of luck.

Howard L. Hamilton CD, JP is a former chairman Of Caymanas Track Ltd. and is the current president of the Thoroughbred Owners And Breeders Assn. He can be contacted at howham@cwjamaica.com.