Beware, here comes Lashing Force

BY HURBUN WILLIAMS Observer writer

Saturday, February 25, 2012

LASHING Force, who showed he had good ability with a forceful run in the Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes last December, heads a field of 10 entered for the 18th running of the $1,066,000 Sir Howard Stakes at approximately 4:45 pm at Caymanas Park today. First post at 1:30 pm.

The 1,200 metres test of Restricted Allowance II nativebred three-year-olds (NW2) is the headliner on a truncated eight-race card which could serve as the final prep for some colts and geldings before the 2000 Guineas first Classic among native-bred three-yearolds in April.

Lashing Force, who drew post five is a bay gelded son of Pat N Jac out of Seek (Prime Rate Powers) bred by Orange Valley Estates Ltd, races for Alphonso L Sterling and trained by Raymond Townsend. He has one win, one second and one thirdplace finish from six starts.

Others in the strong field of native-bred three-year-olds are Runjohnnyrun, Differentgeneration, Raging Prospect, Our Creation, Touring With Rhea, Italiano, Aquamoto, Sunshine Boy and Aventura.

Lashing Force, who raced courageously in defeat over 1,000 metres straight on February 9, will be ridden by Andre Martin who was aboard the gelded son of Pat N Jac for the first time when losing by 1 1/4 lengths on last which earned for him a Beyer Index of 90.

This was only bettered in the field by Runjohnnyrun, who had a spectacular opening run on December 24 when completing 1,000 metres straight in 58.4 seconds.

A chestnut colt by Traditional out of Rum Ridge (Tiger Ridge) bred at Ham Stables Ltd, races for Penyu and trained by Philip Feanny, this will be his second career run, but will do so well prepared. With one win from his only start, Runjohnnyrun will enter the contest with Blinker fitted and Lasix applied for the first time.

Runjohnnyrun, coming from the one draw, will be ridden by Hall Of Fame jockey Winston Griffiths who was aboard the chestnut colt on his first run.

Another striking opponent in the line-up is Differentgeneration, who drew post three. A fairly capable sort, who like so many of his rivals, is making his threeyear-old debut.

Differentgeneration showed in the Jamaica Two-Year-old Stakes that he has Classic potential after leading for a long way. That was over 1,600 metres, but now reverting to the shorter distance and entering it well prepared with the former champion jockey Shane Ellis, who won aboard the bay colt on debut, called on the replace the non-claiming apprentice Richard Mairs.

A much better showing is anticipated today from the bay son of Congaree out of Cottas Jewel (Miner's Mark) bred by (YS (1955) Ltd). Owned by DSTL & Associates, Differentgeneration is trained by Rown Mathie and has one win and a second-place finish from four starts as a two-year-old.