The ‘Master’ of them all
In what was described by his trainer, Fitzroy Glispie, as a statement performance by Master of Hall who underlined his growing status as a horse of supreme class when he easily brushed aside rivals by 10 1/2 lengths in the $1.15 million Bonnie Blue Flag Trophy feature over nine furlongs and 25 yards (1820m) at Caymanas Park yesterday.
Master of Hall, racing at the Open Allowance level for the first time, posted a career best time for the distance of 1:56.2 after splits 26.4, 52.2, 1:17.0 and 1:41.3.
“Well, we were always of the view at the stables that Master of Hall was a special animal and now he is showing everyone at four years, after going through a series of health issues at three.
“After this run, Master of Hall is ready to compete against the best runners we have at present. A really compelling run by a good and developing horse,” Glispie stated in his post-race interview.
Master of Hall was put in front by the red-hot apprentice Reyan Lewis, going around the clubhouse turn but was then taken back into third place entering the main track as stable companion Pakman (Kiaman McGregor) took up the running ahead of Drummer Boy (Omar Walker).
The order remained the same until leaving the five furlong (1000m) and approaching the half-mile when Drummer Boy slipped through to take up the lead, looking quite strong, but as soon as Lewis let loose Master of Hall with three furlongs (600 metres) to go, the bay gelding, in a flash, surrounded the leader approaching the home bend and went on his way.
Master of Hall squeezed the gas in deep stretch to win rather comfortably ahead of Houdini’s Magic (Raddesh Roman) and Drummer Boy.
“I know this horse well, I have been working him a lot, so I just made sure, he ( Master of Hall) got a good break and then just guided him home as we were never in trouble throughout the race,” Lewis offered.
Master of Hall was one of three winners on the 10-race programme for Lewis. Lewis won aboard Bigman Union in the third race for trainer Anthony Ferguson and Alexa’s Star in the eighth race for trainer Patrick Lynch.
Those winners pushed Lewis tally to 27 winners, four behind leader Christopher Mamdeen who is on 31 winners in the jockeys standing. Lewis is joint second with his cousin, Omar Walker.
The supporting feature, the 2019 Jamaica Veterinary Board World Vet Day Trophy over the five-furlong straight course was won by Sunshine Cat.
Bred, owned and trained by Carl Anderson and ridden by Anthony Thomas, Sunshine Cat got the better of Forest Rose (Phillip Parchment) and Boss Izzy (Kiaman McGregor) by half-a-length in a driving finish. The final time was 1:01.0.
Thomas had earlier won aboard Nuclear Evita in the seventh race for trainer Gary Subratie for his double.
Racing continues on Saturday with the running of the 10-furlong (2,000 metres) Jamaica Oaks, sponsored by Hampden Estate through their brand Rum Fire White Overproof Rum.
I Am Di One is the prohibitive odds on favourite to win her second Classic race of the season.