Ainsley Walters, Freelance Writer

JOSIE WALES (with Charles Hussey aboard) dashes to the line to win yesterday's feature race at Caymanas Park, the Supreme Ventures Ltd. Jamaica 2-Y-O Stakes over 1600m. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

JOSIE WALES yesterday shot down 1-9 favourite THE REAL STREAM to land the $3.25 million Supreme Ventures Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes over a mile under a smart ride from veteran jockey Charles Hussey, outfoxing Trinidadian Brian Harding.

Trained by Charles' brother, Percival, and owned by their mother, Ruth, JOSIE WALES won at odds of 9-2 in a driving finish from REGAL SELECTION and IT IS I but had to survive a lengthy stewards' inquiry after an incident involving THE REAL STREAM approaching the three-furlong marker.

Unbeaten in three races and hunting a $1-million bonus to sweep the Supreme Ventures Two-Year-Old Series after winning the two previous legs, THE REAL STREAM, held tightly by Harding, pressed JOSIE WALES down the backstretch but got caught inside down along the rail approaching the half-mile.

With Hussey not giving any quarter along the rail in a match-race, Harding insisted on keeping his mount inside and suddenly snatched up THE REAL STREAM's head approaching the three-furlong marker, giving the impression that his runner was hindered by JOSIE WALES.

Momentum

Harding's actions caused the roan gelding to lose momentum and fall back to fourth as IT IS I and HEART OF GOLD went in chase of JOSIE WALES swinging into the lane.

However, the Husseys' runner was not for catching as he powered off the turn and stayed on strongly from IT IS I attacking with stablemate HEART OF GOLD. REGAL SELECTION made a strong bid close to home to get within three quarters of a length of JOSIE WALES with IT IS I finishing a further half-length back in third. THE REAL STREAM failed to recover and plodded in fourth position, eventually finishing fifth in the six-horse field.

Television replays showed Hussey riding a tight race but not taking Harding's ground where the Trinidadian had snatched up his mount.

"The horse didn't do him anything," said chief steward Lloyd Cobran after the race was cleared.

"It was obvious that he turned the horse's head but I don't know why. We'll have to speak with him," he added.

Jockey Hussey said he was never worried when the inquiry sign went up.

"I rode a tight race but there's a thin line between that and infringement. That's a line I do not cross," he said.

"I broke on top, relegated the pace and put Brian in a tight position but did not hinder him at any time," Charles pointed out.

Disappointed, champion trainer Wayne DaCosta said THE REAL STREAM lost focus after being boxed in.

"The pace was muddling and he was penned in for about six furlongs," he pointed out. "He got frustrated and spit his bit a furlong out. He never got a clear run at any stage."

Meanwhile, the Husseys were surprised at the victory, all saying they had expected to fill the runner-up spot behind THE REAL STREAM.

Something went wrong

"We were confident THE REAL STREAM would have won," said Laurie, Ruth's husband. "Something must have gone awfully wrong with him," he added.

"We were saying we would have been disappointed if we did not finish second but Charlie rode a great race," said Ruth, who moved her tally in the prestigious two-year-old race to three winners after landing the event with Norman Palmer-trained ROYAL LANCASTER in 1985 and REAR ADMIRAL in 2002.

Percival, who posted REAR ADMIRAL in 2002, again teaming up with Charles, said he was also surprised but gained some confidence after hearing that THE REAL STREAM had a cold leading up to the event.

"I'm not taking anything away from him," he said. "He will be back as we just had a little luck in this race."

The day's co-feature, the 12-furlong Harry Jackson Memorial Cup, was won in a driving finish by Philip Feanny-trained DISTINCTLY IRISH, beating DR SOCRATES, who made a bold bid from in front and only lost at the last hop.

Hussey, who had two other winners on the 13-race card, shared the day's riding honours with champion jockey designate Omar Walker, who booted home a triple to move to 93 wins for the season.

Hussey's brother, Percy, along with DaCosta and Errol Waugh, saddled two winners apiece.