THE dust has now settled on the 46th running of the Cal’s Tomato Ketchup Gold Cup on Saturday, October 13, 2018 at Caymanas Park. The impressions left are very clear for all to see, assess and determine a point of view.

The Supreme Racing Guide in its analysis strongly believes that winner of the event Will In Charge is now the dominant force in local racing.

The manner in which he moved from the four-furlong marker was something to behold, while his strong and dogged determination in the straight confirmed his pedigree and class. As it is sometimes termed, it was a run for the ages.

It was the defining moment for a sturdy and consistent performer who has had a truly amazing renaissance at age five. So dominant was his performance over the seven furlongs of the Gold Cup that Will In Charge came within just two-fifths of a second off the track record held by the great Eros. In fact, if Will In Charge’s jockey Robert Halledeen had continued to push over the last half-a-furlong, he may well have equalled the record of 1:22.4.

The track may have been on the fast side, but there can be no denying that the time done by Will In Charge was fast, any which way you look at it.

Will In Charge aims next for the Burger King Superstakes in November and then it’s the top prize in racing, the Betting Gaming and Lottery Commission-sponsored Diamond Mile, and he goes into both races with every chance of winning.

Enough cannot be said about the work done by Will In Charge’s trainer Robert Pearson in getting and keeping his trainee in tip-top shape for his races. Pearson comes from a line of horsemen, with both his father Anthony and his brother, the inimitable Christopher, being conditioners.

Robert Pearson is a prime example of a young man who has applied himself to his trade and with a little luck on his side, which is needed by all, has been able to carve out a special niche for himself in the rough and tumble world of thoroughbred horse racing. The young man is to be congratulated for a job extremely well done.

For Halledeen it was another big race feather in his cap. He has had a mercurial career, thus far, reaching some dizzy heights about two years ago but has now become very subdued. Halledeen’s name, nowadays, is not seen aplenty all over the racing programmes but he always seems to find a mount in the big races.

Robert Halledeen is a good rider who may be hindered by his personality but if he decides to compete for the rides, he will win more races and big races as well.

Of the others in the race, Another Bullet, who was getting his hoofs wet against the best, did really well to finish ahead of the rest in second. He is to be followed closely as his career unfolds.

She’s A Maneater, third, even with the handicaps completely turned against her could not have beaten Will In Charge on the day. Her usual final rattle was missing and at no stage of the seven furlongs was she ever a factor.

Chace The Great, fourth, got a real good prep run for his main objective – that of repeating in the Super Day sprint.

The others, Perfect Neighbour, Houdini’s Magic and Siempre Bueno were all sightseers on the trail blazed by Will In Charge, Robert Halledeen and Robert Pearson.