Mr Doitbetta signals Classic aspirations
Mr Doitbetta openly displayed his Classic race credentials with a victory of significant worth yesterday when winning the inaugural staging of the $768,000 Simply Magic Cup, the feature at Caymanas Park, yesterday.
The Restricted Allowance event, which was run in honour of the classy 2002 Triple Crown winner Simply Magic, was contested over 1,820 metres.
Bred, owned and trained by Lorenzo Robinson, Mr Doitbetta (Vibank – Olympic Advice) was held in sixth position on a tight hold by apprentice Hakeem Pottinger behind the early pace set by Another Fury (Jerome Innis), Big Data (O’Brien White) and My Way (Omar Walker), before he made his move approaching the half mile.
When Pottinger released his hold a notch, Mr Doitbetta, quickly responded by blowing past rivals at the top of the lane. He then powered away to win by 13 1/2 lengths in an impressive time of 1:57:2 minutes.Baby P, ridden by Odean Edwards, finished a good second ahead of the fast-finishing Dr Train, the mount of Aaron Chatrie.
Champion jockey, Shane Ellis took the riding honours on the nine-race programme with two winners. Ellis was victorious aboard
Bad Boy Justin in sixth race and Sure Man in the seventh.
Racing continues on Saturday next with the 77th running of the Jamaica Oaks, sponsored by Caribbean Choice and going over 10 furlongs for native-bred three-year-old fillies.