By Hurbun Williams

Observer writer

With nothing exceptional in talent yet established to deal effectively with extreme distant running among the field of 16 declared to contest the 92nd running of the Jamaica Derby (Gr I) at Caymanas Park today, the test of stamina run promises to be a most absorbing one.

Set aside as the most challenging of races in the Triple Crown Series for native-bred three-year-olds, the futurity event will be run over the grueling distance of 2,400 metres for a purse $9 million and the Sir John Mordecai Trophy.

Despite no clear standout, a winner will emerge and the likely winner can come from a group of six horses — Raging Prospect, Uncle Donny, All Correct, Aventura and Typewriter, with the Wayne DaCosta-prepared filly Exotic Gold picked to outlast her rivals to earn native-bred three-year-olds most coveted prize.

A grey filly by He’stherealthing out of Formally Gold (Formal Gold), bred at Orange Valley Estates and owned by Alexander Haber, Exotic Gold established herself to be a two-turn specialist by winning the Jamaica Oaks after failing to raise a serious gallop in the shorter distance the 1000 Guineas over 1,600 metres.

In her Guineas prep earlier she ran 1,400 metres in a tidy 1:25.3 minutes to win the Thornbird Stakes against opposition that is not present in today’s physically and mentally demanding run.

If this is anything to go by both her times for the Thornbird and Oaks are superior to any of her opponents present. A product of Mr Prospector and The Axe on the upper half and Prince John and Mumtaz by Mahmoud (Fr) on the dam side, this presents her with capable staying qualities.

And added to this she has been very well trained for her most demanding task to date and according to trainer DaCosta, “both horses have worked well coming into the race and let us now wait and see how it turns out on the day”. Dane Nelson will ride Exotic Gold, while Omar Walker will ride All Correct. Asked whether or not Walker is back at his barn, the leading and champion trainer responded: “It is an owner’s decision to have him ride All Correct.”

Despite being well bred for the journey and also well trained this does not guarantee victory for Exotic Gold. As in many instances it is how the race is run that determines the outcome. It must be remembered that it is not how fast you run but how you can run fast.

Talking about speed here is where late blooming Typewriter could make his mark on the event. A speedy son of Western Classic like last year Derby winner Technomoto, who like the dish ran away with the spoon, Typewriter is out of Doc’s Paladin (Boundary) bred at Ham Stables Ltd and based on his running style, will have to use his speed to good advantage to present trainer Spencer Chung with his first Derby victory.

Typewriter is the least experienced runner in the line-up with only three runs to his name, but with three wins attached, including one over 1,820 metres which is enough evidence that he will get the trip.

Owned by Robert F Chung & WP Valentine Chung, Typewriter worked very well for this signature event and harbouring prospects of going all the way, Shane Ellis will continue in the saddle instead of aboard All Correct.

Uncle Donny trained by Anthony Nunes and ridden by champion jockey Dick Cardenas is another speedy customer who can emulate Technomoto by handing his trainer consecutive wins in the event. Owned by Oakridge Farms and bred by Donald Webhy, Uncle Donny, a grey colt by Dayton Flyer out of Pretty Hilly (Royal Minister) won the 2,000 Guineas with flying colours with his only run since competing among Open Allowance horses over 1,820 metres and he has shown a compact readiness for the ‘gut bursting’ trip where victory will not come easy.

Here he will now face the very best of his age group including the Gresford Smith-conditioned Aventura, the mount of Winston Griffiths, and Raging Prospect, who has the potential to follow in the footsteps of She’s Traditional in the 1000 Guineas to give trainer Fitzroy Glispie his second Classic success as trainer for the season. Richard Mairs, who won the Lotto Classic aboard Aventura but was later disqualified will replace Omar Walker.

Ones To Watch

Race 1 Music Director (Rayan Wilson)

Race 2 Cruiser (Dane Nelson)

Race 3 Remember Me (Dane Nelson)

Race 4 St Bernard (Dane Nelson)

Race 5 Supreme Cat (Shane Ellis)

Race 6 Stormy Cat (Robert Halledeen)

Race 7 El Poderoso (Omar Walker)

Race 8 Verify (Paul Francis)

Race 9 King Ferdinand (Clive Lynch)

Race10 Sir D (Shane Ellis)

Race 11 Exotic Gold (Dane Nelson)

EXOTIC GOLD … picked to outlast her rivals to earn native-bred three-year-olds most coveted prize

TYPEWRITER… winner of three races from as many starts

Uncle Donny (right) getting the better of Prince Andrew earlier in the season. (Photos: Hurbun Williams)