Big Buzz holds key to Griffiths Classic

SUNDAY’s Winston Griffiths Classic, a nine-and-a-half furlong event designated as Grade II for three-year–olds, a line-up of mainly non-winners of three races, gets its status from an inflated purse, $3.75 million.

A sort of post-derby Governor’s Cup for horses who failed to win a three-year-old classic, the event also includes non-winners of two races, runners who would have shown their worth in the longer St Leger and Jamaica Derby, enjoying a distance of ground, as opposed to the 1000 and 2000 Guineas in which they were outsped.

PRETTY PERFECT and ALCHEMY OF SOULS, third and fourth, respectively, in the 12-furlong Jamaica Derby, fit the bill of runners to have shown vast improvement in route races.

Other eye-catchers include WOMAN IN LOVE, runner-up to LINGUIST in the 10-furlong Jamaica Oaks, as well as BIG BUZZ, who chased I DREAM AGAIN and BURNING HEDGE in the stretch run of the Jamaica Derby, finishing fifth after pressing the pace the entire trip.

How most of these horses would have emerged from the classics will definitely be a factor at nine and a half furlongs, especially the fillies, WOMAN IN LOVE and PRETTY PERFECT, a pair with opposing running styles.

WOMAN IN LOVE will have to contend with colts such as BOB THE BUILDER and BIG BUZZ on the lead whereas PRETTY PERFECT will have the likes of ALCHEMY OF SOULS for company from off the pace.

The key to cracking the Winston Griffiths is to find a horse who could possibly dominate the pace and last out the stretch run. BIG BUZZ, a son of Gold Cup winner Buzz Nightmare and whose dam, Lady Tarkari, was sired by Miracle Man, is certainly bred to land the Winston Griffiths.

Buzz Nightmare, an in-utero son of Into Mischief, won the 2016 Gold Cup, beating Seeking My Dream, a two-time Diamond Mile winner. BIG BUZZ is seemingly Lady Tarkari’s best offspring to date. Her pedigree checks back to Miracle Man’ two-time Horse of the Year, Jamaica Derby, dual Superstakes and US$100,000 Confraternity Classic winner in Puerto Rico.

Buzz Nightmare also sired RHYTHM BUZZ, who, similar to BIG BUZZ, was no classic contender but improved rapidly when sent over a distance of ground at the back end of the 2023 classic season and as a four-year-old last year.

BIG BUZZ chasing the Derby winner and runner-up to the furlong pole, after pressing the pace down the backstretch, makes him a standout in the Winston Griffiths.