Owner/trainer Richard Azan fields two of his most progressive juveniles Rampage and Achilles in today's Boxing Day $3-million Supreme Ventures Limited-sponsored Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes 13-race feature at Caymanas Park, as he goes for back-to-back victories in the most sought-after juvenile event in Jamaica.

Reminiscent of last year's event when he fielded Kamir and Coltrane, this year Azan holds a strong hand in the event with Rampage, the mount of Hall-Of-Fame jockey Charles Hussey.
By far the most outstanding juvenile seen to date, Rampage, a bay colt by Pat N Jac out of Arantxa (Texas Prospector), has won two of his four starts.

Rampage under Deshawn Parker finishing a close second to Christmas Gift in the Red Stripe Two-Year-Old Breeders' Stakes over 1,400 metres on November 12. (Photo: Joseph Wellington)

After his debut defeat, Rampage returned to the track a different animal and should have been entering today's event seeking his fourth straight win but for the poor judgment of American rider Deshawn Parker in the Red Stripe Two-Year-Old Breeders' Stakes. Looking all over a winner with the winning pole inches away Parker seemed to dawdle and Rampage suffered a short-head loss.

No such misdemeanour is expected today, as Rampage possesses all the credentials to take this 10-horse field apart, especially with the early speed of Fire Works and Bullet Train and the closing dash of Christmas Gift missing.

But in racing it is not over until its over and Rampage would have to run up to his best, as the Philip Feanny trio of Minister On Fire with Trevor Simpson up, Mylegacy, under Allen Maragh and Mitaka, the mount of Winston Griffiths, will not be coming only to make up numbers but to vie earnestly for the major share of the pie.

They are not alone in the chase. Calabash Bay from the stables of Anthony Nunes and to be ridden by champion jockey-designate Brian Harding, stable companion Achilles with Andrew Ramgeet up and the Gary Subratie-conditioned Kysha Baby and her favourite rider Devon A Thomas astride, are three others who are coming to test the true resolve of how rampaging the favourite could be.

Minister On Fire has been somewhat disappointing but with the distance increased, plus the fact that he reports well-prepared for this the largest purse of the Championship Series, then we can see a different side of the chestnut son of Royal Minister out of Awesome Wonder (Schism) when this is over.

Mitaka is another to watch for. Possibly not as talented as others, but with Griffiths up, anything is possible. He surprisingly chased home Rampage in race two of the Super Challenge Series on November 26 but was handed the race after Rampage was disqualified.

And this says something, even though the positions were reversed after Rampage was reinstated by the Jamaica Racing Commission on appeal.

Mylegacy, the little sister of Miracle Man, being by Alisios out of Hya (The Medic), looks outclassed at this stage, but another filly that is expected to show is Kysha Baby, who has been running consistently well since her debut. One who likes to run on, the Crucial Trial bay filly should enjoy the longer distance, but facing the best in her age group, she will have to wait.

Calabash Bay, a bay colt by Alisios out of Don't Call Us (Phone Trick), must not be under-estimated as on his debut some two weeks ago he showed tremendous scope and, in the hands of the leading rider, he will be a threat late to the leaders in the event. He has worked well in his preparation and will enjoy the distance.

Another who much consideration must be given to is Achilles, considered the second choice from the Azan stables. Bred for speed with the ability to stay, Achilles is a dark bay gelding by Al's River Cat out of Swirling Grey (Sewickley). Two weeks ago he won by 7 1/2 lengths going 1,200 metres. He bled on that occasion and Lasix has been administered for this.

Steadily prepared like his stable companion to meet the occasion, the speedy son of Al's River cat showed on last that he clearly has the ability to figure seriously here, especially with the little magician Andrew Ramgeet aboard, and he should not be ruled out of leading his more illustrious stable-mate home.

The Supreme Ventures programme will also be highlighted by the long-standing Harry Jackson Memorial Cup over 2,400 metres, for which a sub-standard field of eight will go postward.
The top contenders for the $1.25-million event are Ad Infinitum, Formally Gold and Natural Desire.

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