Race review – Saturday, July 30, 2022
Run in honour Eros, the speediest horse ever to race at Caymanas Park and holder of long-standing track records over 1,200, 1,300 and 1,400 metres set between 1991 and 1993, it was fitting the trophy attracted a field of seven with the requisite quality to generate the desired excitement over 1,400 metres.
Based on a narrow defeat by I’ve Got Magic over 1,500 metres when they last met on May 22 this year, United States-bred, three-year-old Runaway Algo was bet at even money favourite. The front-running young chestnut colt got the worst possible start but sprinted to lead 1,200 metres out. Attacked by I’ve Got Magic (USA) 800 metres from the finish, Runaway Algo battled till exhausted with 150 to run.
Rail-running King Arthur (9-2), from a prominent position 500 metres out, exploited a narrow gap to remain closest to the barrier and deliver a successful challenge to lead 100 metres out. A serious late threat emerged in the form of Calculus (Shane Ellis) but King Arthur, the 2020 Derby winner, responded gamely. The trophy was secured by half a length for the potent Anthony Thomas and Jason DaCosta jockey/trainer combination for the stable’s second success on the card.
Ridden by the athletic and enthusiastic claiming jockey Roger Hewitt, Party Princess (2-1) disputed the lead with 4-5 favourite Papa Albert before running out a near five-length in the 1,200-metre opening event for veteran conditioner Anthony Subratie.
Half an hour later it was the turn of an even more athletic and enthusiastic reinsman in the form of 2019 champion Christopher Mamdeen. Trained by Nicholas Smith, Ridewiththemob (2-1) needed strong assistance to deliver a near two-length victory margin in the 1,300-metre gallop. While in the third run over 1200 metres, the Smith/Mamdeen combination went close.
In fact, Shane Richardson rode Balazo (13-1) to lead from gate to wire over the 1,200 metres of the third event and lasted home by a neck. In addition to a Stewards Inquiry, Mamdeen also lodged an objection as the FitzGerald Richards trained winner drifted to the right inside the final 200 metres, but after a lengthy deliberation the panel did not agree there was sufficient intimidation and interference to merit a disqualification.
Race four was the first of three events run over the straight 800-metre course on the day. Firstly, Rubyistheone (2-5), a well conformed by filly, having only her second career appearance won for champion trainer Anthony Nunes with Tevin Foster at the reins in Division I of the maiden contest. Then in Division II for race five, trainer Gresford Smith presented the well-schooled debutant Market Place (Aaron Chatrie) to win at odds of 7-2.
The Carl Anderson/Shane Ellis jockey/trainer combination was in the winners’ enclosure following race six for the fourth time this month with Lord Of Ajahlon (6-5) six and a half lengths clear of his nearest rival at the end of the 1400-metre contest.
It was back to the 800-metre course for the seventh and 6-5 bet Johncrowjeff (Jerome Innis), unraced since June 21 last year, was the opening leg of the DaCosta stable double. This was Innis’ first success following recovery from injuries received in spill last March
As expected, running in her second 2022 start, She’s A Wonder (Reyan Lewis), winner of the 1000 Guineas and Jamaica Oaks in 2021 reported at full fitness and turned in a pleasing effort for trainer Ian Parsard as the near five-length performance was dominant in eighth event run over 1500 metres.
True Al Sky (3-1) ridden by Dick Cardenas for trainer Alford Brown was the strongest finisher scoring from well off the pace in the 1,000-metre tenth event ahead of thirteen starters.
The Training Feat Award is presented to Jason DaCosta for the performance of Johncrowjeff returning from a hiatus exceeding one year. King Arthur demonstrated the Best Winning Gallop in winning the feature and Anthony Thomas was at his best aboard to earn himself the Jockeyship Award.