IT was the clash between the Horse of the Year, Will In Charge, and the runner-up, She’s A Maneater, in the nine furlongs and 25 yards (1820 metres) Legal Light Trophy on Saturday last (May 18) at Caymanas Park.

The two did not disappoint as racing fans erupted in joy from the start to the very end of the race.

In a fitting tribute to the great Legal Light, Will In Charge and She’s A Maneater dished out a thoroughbred treat of utter class, deep courage and dogged determination, especially during the two-furlong stretch drive that had the Caymanas Park structure itself shaking and reverberating as the cataclysmic efforts of the leading horses in training at this time unfolded.

Indeed, this year’s Legal Light Trophy, with only five horses participating, is going to be remembered in the years to come as almost the perfect match of talented thoroughbreds.

The race was a replica of the 2018 Burger King Superstakes (10 furlongs) when She’s A Maneater won by a short-head, this time there was little or no adjustment to the winning margin—a neck.

The Supreme Racing Guide now assesses the performances of the five horses who competed in the Legal Light Trophy 2019 in their finishing order.

FIRST: She’s A Maneater ( Natural Selection – Ahwhofah) – Returned to face her greatest nemesis after a rather poor performance the last time she faced the starter. She’s A Maneater was refurbished by her trainer Wayne DaCosta and ran as such. She was up with the pacesetters Superluminal and Will In Charge from early and down the backstretch occupied the cat’s bird seat until her ‘permanent’ rider Omar Walker took her to the outside to challenge the never say die Will In Charge. For two furlongs (400 metres), She’s A Maneater and Walker tried their best to get by Will In Charge and when all seemed lost, Walker changed his hold of the whip in the last 100 metres, moving it from the left hand to the right and with some fanning motions resembling the method used many times by the great Winston “Fanna” Griffiths, the five-year-old mare responded and was able to get her neck in front in the glass. The response from the crowd at the Park on her return to the winners’ enclosure was nothing short of tumultuous. She’s A Maneater, yet again captured the imagination of those at the track and beyond. A truly great and talented mare.

SECOND: Will In Charge ( Adore The Gold – Gem Lea) – This was the Horse of the Year’s second run for the season and he lost no marks in defeat against the truly remarkable mare, She’s A Maneater. Ran his usual race, sitting and waiting before making his move with three-and-a-half furlongs to go but this time was just not able to hold off the sustained challenge of She’s A Maneater. If anything, the difference of a neck might be down to better jockeyship by Walker, especially when he decided to change his whip hand. Still, Will In Charge was game and courageous and did himself and his connections proud. His jockey Robert Halledeen did nothing wrong, as on the day, as it was just not meant to be. Will In Charge in 2019, now has a record of two starts without a win but that will be soon dealt with by his trainer, Robert Pearson.

THIRD: Bigdaddykool ( Sorrentino – Beware Baby) – Was close to the pace throughout and despite being early, could not mount a significant challenge to the top two. Bigdaddykool was racing for the first time this season and despite working well before the Legal Light, was possibly in need of an outing to get his “wheels” in proper motion. The longer races are coming soon, and this is where Bigdaddykool is likely to give much better performances. In the Legal Light, Bigdadddykool was no match for the first two. He will be back fitter and better.

FOURTH: Houdini’s Magic ( Performing Magic – Milestone) – The years seem to be catching up rather rapidly on Houdini’s Magic. At seven, Houdini’s Magic spent most of the nine furlongs and 25 yards of the Legal Light at the back of the field and at no stage was able to influence the outcome of this trophy race. Let’s see where Houdini’s Magic goes from here but winning at the Grade One level is going to be very difficult for him.

FIFTH: Superluminal ( Natural Selection – Thousand Hills) – Went straight to the front when the starting stalls were opened and kept that lead down the backstretch before the principals went by with about four furlongs left in the contest. Superluminal is also getting on in years (seven) and has always found it difficult dealing with the top horses around, yet it must be said that he had an early influence on the race.