Sat | Sep 23, 2023

Classy Blue Vinyl dismisses Temperence Oaks field

Published:Sunday | April 16, 2023 | 1:15 AMAinsley Walters - Gleaner Writer
BLUE VINYL (right), ridden by Javaniel Patterson, wins the eighth race, the Temperence Oaks Trophy over seven furlongs, a three-year-old and over overnight allowance stakes, at Caymanas Park yesterday.
Anthony Minott/Freelance Photographer
BLUE VINYL (right), ridden by Javaniel Patterson, wins the eighth race, the Temperence Oaks Trophy over seven furlongs, a three-year-old and over overnight allowance stakes, at Caymanas Park yesterday.

BLUE VINYL called on his proven class to wrest the lead from old rival BRINKS coming off the home turn in yesterday’s Temperence Oaks Trophy, winning by four and a quarter lengths, though continuously drifting to the stands’ side.

Reporting for the six-and-half furlong event with a four-month lay-up cloud over his head, plus BRINKS’ sharp performance in defeat to importee MADELYN’S SUNSHINE on Monday, BLUE VINYL showed he was none the worse off the break.

Taking the fight to his rival from the off, BLUE VINYL, last year’s 2000 Guineas and St Leger winner, kept BRINKS honest on the lead before Javaniel Patterson made his bid on the home turn.

BLUE VINYL accelerated quickly to move past BRINKS but started drifting out when clear. BRINKS appeared to be gaining under a late rally but BLUE VINYL stayed on strongly inside the final half-furlong for a strong win in 1:20.2 for his seasonal debut.

Tevin Foster opened and closed the nine-race card with victories astride JAMAL JAMES and WHISKY to edge one clear of Easter Carnival leader Reyan Lewis in their battle atop the jockeys’ standings.

Foster enters this weekend’s Saturday-Sunday meet on 29 winners, one clear of Lewis, who easily won the third event aboard Ian Parsard’s impressive three-year-old debutant, HUNTSMAN, at seven and a half furlongs.