MATUSO, the Richard Azan-conditioned bay colt, began his preparation for the upcoming, native-bred, three-year-old Classic series of races with an encouraging seasonal debut on Saturday, March 9, 2024.

The race was a Restricted Allowance contest for native-bred three-year-olds (non-winners of two) and imported three-year-olds and upward (maidens) over five furlongs round.

Bred by Casual Trick out of the Adore the Gold Classic-winning mare Puddy Pooh, Matuso won the half-length in a time of 1:03.2 (23.3 x 48.1).

Following the win Azan said he is pointing Matuso towards the seven-furlong (1,400m) Prince Consort Stakes, one of the major races on the road to the Triple Crown.

“Well, this is his second win and so we could probably point towards the Prince Consort Stakes. But, let’s see if he improves more because you have to run against the best in that race — that’s where we are looking at the moment,” Azan told the Jamaica Observer’s The Supreme Racing Guide.

Ridden by Dane Dawkins, Matuso broke off well at the start of the race, in second place behind Comehometome (Reyan Lewis). Going into the half-mile (800-meter) turn
Matuso lost ground as Pope’s Lady (Paul Francis) went by in chase of the leader.

Hugging the inside rails and cutting the turn entering the drive, Matuso produced a strong run to get the better of Comehometome at the wire.
Pope’s Lady finished third.

“This is the fifth time he is running. Following two third-place finishes in his two first outings he won the third time of asking over one mile.
Matuso then ran in the Jamaica Two-Year-Olds Stakes where he contested the lead and didn’t finish well. But, he is training well now.

“This is only five furlongs where he fought on and beat the horse, and so I think we have scope for improvement,” Azan said.