The 10-furlong run for the three-year-old event, the Lotto Classic for the Governor’s Cup gives an opportunity for the lesser of those in the age group category to have their day in the sun.

While the Governor’s Cup is not a Classic race like the Guineas, the Derby and the St Leger it is considered by all to be one of the major races on the racing calendar with many recognizing its worth as ‘the poor man’s Derby’. Why? It is the only major three-year-old event that is a condition event with specified weights assigned depending on past performance especially number of races won and the distance of those races. These conditions have been in place since the Claiming System came into place in 1996.

The Derby and St Leger have a set weight of 57.0 kgs (126 lbs) for the colts and geldings and 55.0 kgs (121lbs) for the fillies while the Jamaica Oaks and the 1,000 Guineas which are only for fillies have a set weight of 57.0 kgs. The same is true for the 2,000 Guineas (colts and geldings) where the weight is set at 57.0 kgs for all participants. As with the five Classic races, the Governor’s Cup being a futurity, no apprentice allowances are given.

So, for example, if the winner of this year’s 2,000 Guineas starts in next week’s running of the Lotto Classic for the Governor’s Cup he will automatically carry 57.0 kgs. Further, if the winner of the winner of the 1,000 Guineas starts, she will carry 55.0 kgs only if the 2,000 winner is absent. If the 1,000 winner is entered but not the 2,000 winner, then she will tote the top weight.

Interestingly horses which have won over seven and a half furlongs and upwards will carry more weight. Thornhill Lad is a case in point. If Thornhill Lad starts in the Governor’s Cup having won a maiden event over a mile, he will end up carrying 49.0 kgs. A similar winner of a maiden race, under the distance of seven and a half furlongs carry one kilogramme less, that is, 48.0 kgs.

There are myriad options available in what is a race full of conditions. For the benefit of readers, these conditions in their entirety are reproduced below. Have fun reading and understanding.

THE LOTTO CLASSIC (GR. I)

(FOR THE GOVERNOR’S CUP)

PURSE: $3,000,000

TRACK RECORD 2.02.3 WARFARE 57KG (M.McFARLENE – P.J.SCULLY) NOVEMBER 10,1984

STAKES RECORD 2.04.2 THE VICEROY 57KG (W.GRIFFITHS – P.FEANNY) MAY 20, 1989.

FOR NATIVE BRED THREE-YEAR-OLDS (FOALS OF 2011)

THE LOTTO CLASSIC (FOR THE GOVERNOR’S CUP) of $3,000,000 being $2,000,000 offered by the Promoter plus $1,000,000 from the sponsor SUPREME VENTURES LIMITED, Divided: $1,620,000; $540,000; $270,000; $120,000; $90,000 and $60,000 to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th placed horses respectively and $180,000; $60,000; and $30,000 to the breeders of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd horses respectively and $30,000 to the owner of the sire of the winner. THE GOVERNOR’S CUP valued at $40,000 donated by SIR JOHN HUGGINS, G.C.M.G., during his term of office as Governor of Jamaica will be presented to the winning owner who will receive outright a trophy valued at $30,000 donated by SUPREME VENTURES LIMITED. The winning Breeder, Trainer, Jockey and Groom will also receive trophies. All incentives donated by SUPREME VENTURES LIMITED.

COLTS AND GELDINGS .. .. .. 57 kg FILLIES .. .. .. 55.0 kg

1.( i) Winners of The 1000 and 2000 Guineas and/or The Jamaica Oaks to carry the basic weight.

(ii) Winner of the Supreme Ventures Limited Jamaica 2-Y-O Stakes allowed………………….2 kg

2.( i) Winners of The Prince Consort Stakes, Thornbird Stakes and/or any 2-Y-O Grade II or III race allowed

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….3 kg

( ii) Winners of a Restricted Stakes race, allowed ……………………………………………………………4 kg

3.( i) Winners of a Restricted Allowance I race at:-

(a) 1400 Metres or over allowed ……………….4 kg

(b) Less than 1400 Metres allowed …………….6 kg

4.( i) Winners of a Restricted Allowance II race at:-

(a) 1400 Metres or over allowed ………………..7 kg

(b) Less than 1400 metres allowed ……………..8 kg

5.( i) Winners of a Maiden race or a Claiming race at:-

(a) 1400 Metres or over allowed ……………….8 kg

(b) Less than 1400 Metres allowed ……………….9 kg

6.( i) Winners of a Maiden Claiming race at:-

(a) 1400 Metres or over allowed …………………………………………….10.0 kg

(b) Less than 1400 Metres allowed …………………………………………….11.0 kg

7.( i) Untrieds allowed ………………………………………………………….11.0 kg

( ii) Maidens allowed ……………………………………………………………. 12.0 kg

8. Winners prior to November 1, 2013 allowed an additional 1 kg

9. Minimum weight ……………………………………………………………………..50 kg

10. If at the close of entries there are no horse/s whose weight is 57 kg, then the highest weighted horse/s will be adjusted upward/s to 57 kg, and all other horses adjusted accordingly.