Howard Hamilton doesn’t want to get too far ahead of himself, but the veteran owner and breeder is of the the strong belief that his bay filly Marlene My Love, trained by Dwight Chen, could become his third Jamaica Derby winner, following A King Is Bornin 2003 and Distinctly Irish in 2004.

After Marlene My Love’s victory in the 1,000-metre straight Eight Thirty Sprint on debut on January 21, Hamilton said to the Complete Racing Guide: “I won’t be surprised if she wins the Derby” and last Saturday,Marlene My Love gave confirmation of her class.

“I have a Jamaica Derby runner now. After A King Is Born in 2003 and Distinctly Irish in 2004, I have a Derby runner that looks good as well. Marlene My Love, she will certainly win the 1,000 Guineas and the Jamaica Oaks and that is for sure — well, then again, if nothing goes wrong. She has a very good chance in the Derby as she stays forever,” Hamilton said.

Ridden by Wesley Henry and toting a featherweight of 50.5 kgs, Marlene My Love showed more speed as she raced into second position behind Western Warrior, under Robert Halledeen.

Western Warrior tried to increase the lead at the half mile but Marlene My Love stuck to the task and stayed in close touch before accelerating well in the last furlong and a half, easily drawing away to win by three and a half lengths in the Restricted Allowance event. Western Warrior held on for second place, while Dontae (Dane Nelson) got up for third ahead.Marlene My Love by Adore The Gold – Miss Chestnut, ran 1,600 metres in 1:39.3, behind splits of 24.0, 46.2 and 1:11.0.

“It was expected; the win was expected. She took a little time to get going and once she got going, she just drew away from them.

“Hope that all goes well for the Classics now and it is my hope that stays sound as well,” Hamilton said.

Henry confirmed that Marlene My Love is one to look out for in the 1,000 Guineas.

“Well, she is definitely one of the top contenders for the 1,000 Guineas. Going over a mile, I know that she was going to show me speed because she won the five-straight race last month, so I got out well and just kept her cruising along nicely.

“At the half mile, Western Warrior slipped a length or two away from us but that wasn’t any problem asMarlene My Love was just about feeling her momentum.

“I know her, I schooled her, I know what kind of horse I have and I know which gear she can kick in, and once we turned for home I tapped her on the shoulder and she opened up, and that was that,” said Henry.