City Flight confirms class, as Omar dominates
EVERY so often a horse comes along to excite the yearnings of racing fans with a touch of class and mystery. When that horse comes along the debate starts, the thrill factor is increased and there is palpable agitation among members of the racing populace.
Many now believe that such a horse has arrived in the form of the Gary Subratie-traine Michros owned threeyear-old imported dark brown filly City Flight. Before her race on Saturday last, City Flight was four from four and was facing, without doubt, her sternest test to date, competing against seasoned horses of ability including Rio Cobre, Double the Honey and El Poderoso. The pundits gave every reason for her demise. It was too early in the year for a three-year-old filly to be racing against proven campaigners; the number one draw would hinder her and so on and so forth.
Come race day, City Flight with the assured Omar Walker in the saddle went to the front from the off and that was that in the five-and-a-half-furlong Open Allowance event. Omar Walker in his post-race interview stated clearly that “he still had a lot of horse underneath him” and at no time was he worried.
Trainer Subratie went even further saying “the throttle had not been pulled as yet, and the best is yet to come from City Flight”.
The manner of City Flight’s victory on Saturday was spectacular. She is a filly of class with a strong early pace, the ability to hold her run in the straight and the undisputable mark of class.
City Flight is a truly talented addition to the local racing stock and a possible candidate to challenge the sprinting prowess of Horse of the Year, St Cecelia. Racing fans may be in for a real treat when these two meet, which we hope will be soon.
Walker seems to be a man on a mission. The former champion jockey is simply riding in the form of his life with Saturday’s three-timer another expression of his desire to retain his champion status. Apart from his easy turn-around win with City Flight, Walker piloted Shining Gold for trainer Gary Griffiths and Ghost Rapper for Ian Parsard.
While the celebrating was mainly done by Walker, it was a day to forget for champion jockey Dane Nelson. Hit with a 10-race day suspension, Nelson was uprooted by Shane Ellis in a thrilling culmination to Saturday’s sixth race and by an emerging apprentice Davidan Robinson in the nightcap, losing both races ‘in the glass’ in what many thought to be ill-advised tactics.
Such, however, is the nature of the racing game. Nelson knows this and he will bounce back. He has appealed his suspension and now will await the outcome when he faces the commissioners of the Jamaica Racing Commission.
For racing fans and the promoters, an exciting race is brewing between Walker and Nelson which can only augur well for racing during the course of the year.
This writer notes the progress being made by apprentice Davidan Robinson. After failing to ride a winner until recently, Robinson whose mother is a long-time vendor in the stands at Caymanas Park, has suddenly emerged from the clouds. His ride on Lady Gorakhpur against Dane Nelson on Gold Rush was a demonstration of his never-say-die attitude and determination to win.
Caught and passed in the final furlong of the race by Nelson, the young man rallied his mount for a final effort which was sufficient to earn victory. Well done, young man and keep it up.
Of special note also, Lady Gorakhpur was the first runner for the year for trainer Borris McIntosh.