Blue Vinyl to challenge for ‘Vet Day’ trophy
HAVING opened his seasonal account with a dominant performance two weeks ago, Patrick Lynch’s talented sort Blue Vinyl is poised to make it a quick double when he returns to challenge for the Jamaica Veterinary Board’s World Veterinary Day Trophy at Caymanas Park today.
The three-year-old and upward Overnight Allowance event which headlines the 10-race card will go a mile (1,600m), with a purse of $1.14 million up for grabs.
Blue Vinyl’s victorious return on April 15 in the Temperence Oaks Trophy over 6½ furlongs (1,300m), from a deserved four-month break, again underlined his credentials as one of the country’s top-rated horses.
Though he was just 3¾ lengths ahead of rivals, stopping the clock in 1:20.2, it could be understood that he needed the competitive outing, which essentially means he will be much sharper coming into this assignment.
The four-year-old colt who won last year’s 2000 Guineas by nine lengths is obviously better suited to a mile and thus will certainly take a lot of beating.
Richard Azan’s Perfect Brew seems to be Blue Vinyl’s closest rival but has had two outings so far this season without much success, and will have to improve significantly to topple the favourite.
Still, Perfect Brew’s last race on April 8 in the Saint Cecelia Cup when he placed fifth, 11 lengths behind I Am Fred and Runaway Algo over 6½ furlongs, was in the grade above. So, a drop in class here over a more suitable distance could work in his favour, provided every aspect of the connection’s race plan goes accordingly.
Gary Subratie’s Crimson, D Head Cornerstone, and Big Big Daddy are all expected to play their part in factoring the outcome, without winning.
Crimson, in particular, is a seasoned campaigner who is rounding into good form at the right time. Like the top two, Crimson will relish the extra real estate as he usually does his running very late. On April 1 he was four lengths behind Money Monster in the King’s Plate over 7 furlongs (1,400m) so a good showing is anticipated, especially given the fact that he doesn’t have much pace to contend with.
Miniature Man and Outbidder, both conditioned by Jason DaCosta, should also make their presence felt but something drastic will have to happen for either of the two to lower Blue Vinyl’s colours.
Michael Marlowe’s pair of Gambler and Marquesas can both be safely bypassed, and the same is true for Omron and Helicopter, conditioned by Joseph Thomas and Gary Lewis, respectively.
Alford Brown’s I Realise and Prince Marshall who hails from the barns of Fitzroy Glispie are both talented runners who can come good on their day. However, both are coming off an identical 119-day break and may need the run to regain their competitive edge.
Ones to Watch
Race 1) Crushing Power/Okahumpka/Matriarch/Money Marshall
Race 2) Ras Emanuel/Alexa’s Dream/Rum With Me/Nuclear Noon
Race 3) Whatever/Sunshine Cat/War of the Roses/Ricky Ricardo
Race 4) Big Argument/Nakamura/Victoriasmedallion/Silver Fox
Race 5) She’s My Friend/Select Me/Rani Bangala/King Air
Race 6) Slammer/Ha Gow Siu Mei/Posing Already/Lord Burkington
Race 7) Joblane/MPRS Links/Brown Skin Girl/Home Alone
Race 8) Runway Icon/Aava Jaelyn/Don Vincenzo/Principal Tiffany
Race 9) Big Guy In TheSky/Electrode/Whizz Kid/Kissmet
Race 10) Blue Vinyl/Perfect Brew/Crimson/I Realise