The 18-race Summit of Speed two-day race meet with nine races on Saturday and Sunday each marked the seventh staging of the event.

Effectively, this concept is designed to give the owners of out and out sprinters the extra opportunity to earn a little more, with only two races over six-and-a-half furlongs on offer.

Featured and staged as the ninth and final was another renewal of the five-furlongs straight Charles Hussey Trophy. This, in honour of the former three-time champion who is still the winningest rider over the distance. Along with Hussey, all-time greats Emelio Rodriquez and George HoSang were on hand to be part of the presentation party.

The event was won by 4-5 favourite Unbelievable Force (USA), conditioned by 14-time champion Philip Feanny for an impressive victory by over five lengths without coming off the bridle and was the second of two on the day for Raddesh Roman.

The clearly superior imported horses continue to be allotted weights which makes a mockery out of the necessity of equalising the form of the horses to drive betting as the flawed interpretation and application of Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) Rule #33, which speaks to weight allotment by “merit and performance”, continues to be ignored.

The huge number of odds-on favourites will perpetuate the underperformance of the racing product by up to 15 per cent or over $700 million this year.

It is ironic that the punters are aware of the importance of accurate handicapping, but the principals of the Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL), Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association of Jamaica (TOBA), United Racehorse Trainers’ Association of Jamaica (URTAJ), and the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) are not.

The opening event over five furlongs round was won by four-year-old Phenomenal One (7/5), ridden by Javaniel Patterson for trainer Errol Waugh. A progeny of Lion Tamer, the chestnut colt was a length and a half ahead of his nearest rival in the field of 10 older horses.

In the battle for the 2024 riding honours, Roman had the good fortune to replace former three-time champion Dane Nelson aboard the Patrick Lynch entry in race two for the first of a stable double.

Sent off as 2-5 favourite, Princess Cataleya won the five furlongs round event by a short head. Roman was winless on day one, while arch rival Tevin Foster recorded double success 24 hours earlier.

Foster’s response came in the five furlongs straight fourth event when Eagle One (USA), saddled by Oneil Markland, outbattled favourite Emperorofthecats (4-5) to score by a length at odds of 6-5.

Foster’s winning form did not return as Medal Count and Powerofherhighness finished second in races five and six, respectively. Further, in race eight, he was unseated by the well-fancied Lady Abhimala as she leapt and stumbled in her first stride.

Then, surprisingly, Foster did not have a ride in the featured Charley Hussey Trophy although 16 runners were declared. However, Roman did as indicated above, but unless he appeals a suspension for several instances of excessive use of his whip, he may not ride this Saturday December 21.

Since his return from his most recent engagements up in Canada, Dane Dawkins, the 2022 champion in addition to his above average skill set, has been a model of tactical astuteness and positioning for advantage.

Seven-to-one shot Justin Bigtime, declared by Gary Subratie for race three over four-and-a-half furlongs, Dawkins induced a career best run from the moderate three-year-old colt for a victory margin of a length and a half.

Elsewhere on the day, race five, over six furlongs restricted to four-year-olds and upwards was won in a 10-length romp by debutant
Garland (Oniel Mullings) at odds of 4-5 for trainer Peter-John Parsard.

Owner/trainer Oral Hayden declared Dick Cardenas for Acknowledgeme(2-1) and won race eight over the full straight course by three parts of a length.

Outgoing champion Reyan Lewis won race six over five furlongs round aboard
Papa Gray (1-1) for trainer Barrington Dawes.

In race seven, run at six-and-a-half furlongs, Lewis, to secure a double, replaced the absent Dane Nelson and scored aboard juvenile Strong Mind (3-2) for trainer Patrick Lynch to confirm a stable double.

The Training Feat Award is presented to Peter-John Parsard for his patience with
Garland, now nearly five years old, to deliver the Best Winning Gallop with no missteps.

The Jockeyship Award goes to Roman for his performance aboard Princess Cataleya, which was achieved at very short notice as he demonstrated good horsemanship on the unfamiliar mount.