On a day when Gulfstream Park commentator Peter Aiello made a cameo performance as a guest race caller in the broadcast box, the 10-race card delivered on many levels. The 1,300-metre opening event was won by 7-1 shot, the aged 11-year-old horse Ras Emanuel, owned and trained by Oral Hayden and enterprisingly ridden by Robert Halledeen for the first of three-timer for the reinsman and first of a stable double.

Halledeen’s second, which came again by tactical frontrunning in race two, restricted to juveniles and contested over 1,200 metres, was aboard the Jason DaCosta-schooled Fastnfurious (4-1). In race three, contested over 1,000 metres straight, it was time for Hayden to enjoy his second with 3-5 favourite Talona (USA) for an ownership double with this one partnered by veteran Oneil Mullings.

It was 30-1 against the Gary Griffiths-conditioned Here Comes Doc (Tevin Foster), but the colt was five lengths superior to 4-5 favourite Life Is Life when the winning post signalled the end of the 1,600-metre gallop of race four. At the end of race five, the commencement of the Dane Dawkins race riding exhibition was confirmed with Hunza (7/1) scoring for trainer Phillip Elliott over the 1,100 metres.

Victory by the 9-2 chance Miss Lynton, in a near nine-length distancing of opponents over the 1,200 metres of race six by the three-year-old maiden owned and trained by Robert French, only delayed the continuation of the Dawkins show and the launch of trainer Gary Subratie’s own display of well-conditioned horses.

Run as the seventh, the second renewal of the fillies and mares Distaff ended in a predictable six-length winning margin for Desert Of Malibu (USA) to remain undefeated in four opportunities locally. The was the first for Subratie and the second success of the day for champion Dawkins.

Half an hour later, it was time for the featured third staging of the 1,900-metre Jamaica Cup. Last year’s near 14-length heroine of this event 2022 Horse-Of-The-Year Atomica was bet as 3-5 favourite, whilst old rival Blue Vinyl shared joint second favouritism with American-bred Runaway Algo at 8-5.

The most interesting eighth event saw Runaway Algo (USA), to no avail, being restrained to ration his stamina but his limitation was ruthlessly exposed 800 metres out. It was left to Blue Vinyl and Atomica, intent on testing the speed, stamina and courage of each other over the trip but the latter won the battle with 700 metres remaining to then stay on to score by four lengths.

At the point of assuming sole leadership, Atomica made life a little uncomfortable for Blue Vinyl but the Stewards, after an extended deliberation, took no action to reverse the placings. There was no objection lodged by Javaniel Patterson to Dawkins’ third success of his riding exhibition and Subratie’s second. In fact, Subratie’s third on the day came in the 1,300-metre nightcap with infrequently engaged journeyman Rudolph Paige riding Sensational Move (62-1) to a four-length triumph.

Race nine was the second renewal of the 1,200-metre Port Royal Sprint where 12 hopefuls took on the sprint champion Mahogany bet at 1-2 favourite. Speedy American filly Madelyn’s Sunshine (25-1) led, and it took an especially game effort from Mahogany to wear her down in a driving finish. It was a sporting decision, at the risk of fatigue overtaking the six-year-old gelding to race for the third time in less than 30 days by conditioner Ian Parsard.

Training Feat Award is presented to trainer Ian Parsard for the presentation of Mahogany to deliver the Best Winning Gallop whilst Halledeen secured the Jockeyship Award with all three of his successes testing his skill set to the limit of its capacity.