Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer
PONSETTA (left), one of two winners for apprentice Carlton Malcolm, outbattles stable companiion and favourite MEELO (Dane Nelson) to win the opening round-five race for two-year-olds at Caymanas Park last Saturday. Both youngsters are trained by Richard Azan.
Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer
The Supreme Ventures two-year-old Series kicks off at Caymanas Park today, with the $2.5-million Cash Pot Only One For Me Trophy race over 1200 metres for native breds.
The three-race series, which offers total prize money of $9 million, will continue on Saturday, November 29, with the $3 million Pick-3 Super Challenge Trophy over 1400 metres and will end on Friday, December 26 (Boxing Day), with the prestigious Supreme Ventures Limited Jamaica 2-Y-O Stakes over 1600 metres, this offering a whopping purse of $3.5 million.
There is a million-dollar bonus to the owner of the horse good enough to win all three races.
Among the starters are the highly thought of colt BRUCEONTHELOOSE, who made a smashing debut in the Stewards Cup over the round-five course on September 27; the talented filly MISS RUTH, who has won her two races in fine style; HURRICANE JUSTICE, who is also unbeaten in two starts; the improving hat-trick seeker, MY SPACE; not to mention REGGAE PRINCESS, who won on her only start; HURRICANE WATCH, who has worked well and will run on lasix for the first time; and WESTERN REPORT, who also runs on lasix for the first time and has looked razor sharp at exercise since losing to MY SPACE on October 4.
They represent the best of the juveniles seen so far this season.
Strong hand
Champion trainer Wayne daCosta has an impeccable record in this race, having won the three previous runnings with SUPER NATURAL (2005), STRONG HOPE (2006) and THE REAL STREAM (2007). Today, he holds a strong hand with three challengers, the best of whom must be HURRICANE JUSTICE with champion jockey Omar Walker aboard.
Still, I think it will come down to the two most impressive juveniles seen out so far this season BRUCEONTHELOOSE from the stables of 14-time champion trainer Philip Feanny and of course, the Percy Hussey-trained MISS RUTH who truly impressed when slamming CALL OF THE WILD and WESTERN REPORT over 1100 metres on August 27, covering the distance in the smart time of 1:06.1.
Looked well at exercise
MISS RUTH has looked exceptionally well at exercise in preparation for his race, galloping 5-1/2 furlongs in an eye-popping 1:06.0 last Sunday morning. Some would say she has worked too well to lose with former champion Shane Ellis again in the saddle.
Compelling arguments can also be put forward for BRUCEONTHELOOSE, who looked awesome on his recent debut in the Stewards, winning in the smart time of 1:00.2 under leading all-time jockey Winston Griffiths.
A grey colt by Wheelaway out of Road To Justice, BRUCEONTHELOOSE, who came here in utero from the United States, returns with lasix administered and despite the very strong claims of MISS RUTH (also first time lasix) , strikes me as potentially a better animal than the filly. While I expect it to be close between them, preference is for the colt with Griffiths again in the saddle.
I also like CHADMAN to complete the hat-trick in the None Such Sprint Trophy, BLUE MARLIN to repeat in the fifth, CHRISTMAS TREAT in the sixth and CHIEF COUNCILLOR in the ninth.
