Messi achieves first time goal of maiden victory

Conditioning a horse to win after one month’s lay-off is a common routine in horse racing nowadays. But when a trainer stretches his horse’s lay-off to six months or longer, and he wins that first start on return, then that is something special. Such was the case with the Philip Feanny-conditioned Messi on Saturday.

An offspring of American Dance, Messi came to races on March 17, 2018, and only could only manage a fourth place finish by 7 ½ lengths as the 6-5 favourite behind Anna Lisa, Reigning King and Ricky Ricardo running over a mile (1,600m).

Messi then returned nearly 11 months later (Saturday, Feb 9) and showed no signs of fatigue from the break and romped home by 4 lengths in a maiden condition race over 6 ½ furlongs (1,300m).

Ridden by David McKenzie, Messi broke on top in the five-horse field and never looked back as he cruised home ahead of Lazer Light (Dane Nelson), Pure Heart (Tevin Foster) and Perfect Union (Javaniel Patterson) in that order.

After setting splits of 24.3, 49.0 and 1:14.2, Messi came home in a final time of 1:21.3 to win his maiden race easily in the end.

As was to be expected, when McKenzie was returning to the winners’ enclosure atop Messi, racing fans at the Park went wild as they celebrated with the veteran jockey who has not ridden a winner in many moons.

McKenzie at age 69, became the oldest jockey to win a race at Caymanas Park.

Well done, “Scorcher”.

Phillip Lee, Romario Smith combine for first win

Lightly raced five-year-old bay horse Makhi ( Nasheet – Princess Cut) released his maiden tag on Saturday, giving trainer Phillip Lee and apprentice Romario Smith their first winner for the 2019 racing season at Caymanas Park.

After failing by 1 ½ to beat General Mubaraak on last over 7 furlongs (1,400m), Lee decided to cut back on the journey for his charge, racing this time over 5 furlongs (1,000m) on the round course and that seemed to have done the trick as Makhi came with a strong run in deep stretch to get home by 2 ¾ lengths in the native-bred five-year-old and upward event.

Smith did a good job when he held Makhi off the pace as Rundazzle (Tevin Foster) and Mistrial (Shane Ellis) were the one to set off in front.

When Mistrial got rid of her challengers turning for home, Smith then produced his mount on the outside and Makhi responded well and blew past rivals with a furlong to go and went on to score easily in the end.

Mistrial held on for second money with Evasive Action (Trevor Simpson) getting third with a final time of 1:04.2.

Tevin turns tables on Orlando as Foster brothers again engage in battle

In a rare occurrence at Caymanas Park on December 15, 2018, two brothers — jockeys Orlando and Tevin Foster fiercely fought for victory in the first race – a Restricted Allowance for five –year-olds and up (non-winners of two) run over seven furlongs.

At the finish, it was older brother Orlando who got home on Explosive Charge for trainer Donovan Plummer with Tevin finishing second on Silver Surf.

However, on Saturday the tables turned and Tevin aboard the Steven Todd-owned and trained Sweet Destiny got the better of Orlando aboard Double Deal in a claiming race over five furlongs on the round course.

Prince Kamali was third with the final time for the race recorded at 1:01.3.

Nuclear Lava gets home with a double change in racing equipment

After finishing in sixth position by 11 ½ lengths on last over 7 furlongs (1,400m), trainer Everal Francis then took the blinkers off Nuclear Lava and set down his charge to compete in a Restricted Allowance event over a mile (1,600m).

Then fate intervened as there was a further equipment change after the tongue tie became loose just before the start of the race and Francis gave the go ahead for Nuclear Lava to compete in the non-winners of three event without the nominated equipment.

Ridden by Dane Nelson, Nuclear Lava showed her likeness for the equipment changes and made one move to win the highly contested event by 1 ¼ lengths with seemingly a lot to spare over rivals.

Nuclear Lava was tested twice during the race and on both occasions, the chestnut filly responded well and delivered the knockout punch. She was tested at the half mile and in deep stretch but when Nelson asked her to go each time, she opened up on rivals.

Sir Puddington (Daniel Satchell) came home in second place with She’s Symbolic (Robert Halledeen) third and Ricky Ricardo (Anthony Thomas) fourth. It was a good 1:40.1 for the final time done by Nuclear Lava.

Eight horses claimed on Saturday

Eight horses were claimed on the 11-race programme at Caymanas Park on Saturday.

In the seventh race on a $120,000 claiming tag, Victor Williams claimed Song On Track for owner Andre Adams from Keisha Lawrence, George Edwards claimed Big Mistake for owner Soldier Camp from Patrick Chang and Christopher Morrison claimed Machu Picchu for owner Everton Johnson from Terrence McWhinney.

Princess Brianna was claimed from Gresford Smith by Marvin Campbell for owner Ajax Bjorn and Double Deal was claimed from Fernando Geddes by Andrew McDonald for owner Agent Deeks from the eighth race.

In the 11th and final event on a $180,000 claiming tag, Paul Smith claimed Piano Man from Norman Smith for owner Deleta Brewster, Kingsley Davis claimed Strike It Lucky for himself from Byron Davis and Ryan Williams claimed Royal Girl for owner Garth Samuels from Neive Graham.

Abigail is well, no broken bones

There were gasps from those present at Caymanas Park when female apprentice Abigail Able fell from her mount Machu Picchu just after the gates opened to signal the start of last Saturday’s seventh race run over three furlongs straight.

Able was quickly pick-up by members of the St John’s ambulance team and was rushed to the medical post at the Park where the doctor on duty sent her to hospital for further observation.

The Supreme Racing Guide can now report that after x-rays were taken and analysed, Able suffered no broken bones with the prognosis being that she will be up and about in quick time.

Get well, Abigail!

British horse racing suspended as vets test for equine flu

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) – British horse racing will not resume until tomorrow (Wednesday, Feb 13) at the earliest as authorities wait to find out the extent of the equine flu crisis that has brought the sport to a halt.

Four meetings were cancelled on Thursday last after three animals tested positive for equine influenza despite having been vaccinated against the disease and Friday’s meetings were also abandoned.

Grand National-winning trainer Donald McCain confirmed the horses came from his Cheshire stables.

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) said it had been in contact with more than 50 trainers and vets to allow it to make an informed assessment of the risk of the disease spreading.

The BBC reported more than 100 stables were on lockdown, with hundreds of horses effectively under quarantine.

“The disease can take up to three days before symptoms are visible, meaning it will take until Sunday (Feb 10, 2019) at the earliest before the BHA can gather all the information required,” the BHA said.

“This precautionary approach is intended to ensure we put the health of the horse population and control of the virus first, and avoid any unnecessary risk that might come from returning to racing too quickly,” it added.

Trainers Nicky Henderson and Paul Nicholls are among those affected by the shutdown.

“I’m estimating that there will be 1,500-plus taken overall today,” Henderson told BBC Radio, referring to swab tests being carried out by vets.

Equine influenza is a highly infectious disease of horses with symptoms including high fever, coughing and nasal discharge.

One Soo True moves to greener pastures

One Soo True, the three-year-old chesnut gelding by Strikewhileitshot – Perfect Lady died as a result of gripe last Thursday, the Supreme Racing Guide has been informed.

Trained by Patrick Fong, One Soo True won his first race from his fourth start on Saturday, February 2, 2019 over five furlongs (1,000 metres) round.

One Soo True was ridden to victory by Samantha Fletcher and was owned by New Blue Limited.