The racing fans had a rare treat with two Mouttet Mile “Win And You’re In” qualifiers on the same card. The outcomes of the Port Royal Sprint and the Jamaica Cup, contested over six and nine and a half furlongs and staged as races 10 and 11, respectively, generated interesting talking points for the pundits and punters.

The result of the Port Royal Sprint confirmed the progressive form of the winner, US-bred three-year-old colt Rideallday (9-5). Pack Plays (USA) made the early running, but the pace was relatively moderate as Desert Of Malibu (USA) and Dothraki (USA) raced threateningly in the leader’s slipstream.

Rideallday (USA), restrained by veteran Ian Spence, had his rhythm interrupted by Desert Of Malibu (USA) just under four furlongs out. Pack Plays (USA) gave way to Desert Of Malibu (USA), and she went clear entering the final furlong, but the far-striding, Philip Feanny conditioned Rideallday glided past her close home to win by a length and a half.

Mojito, at three years old, showed above ability, but has been difficult to train over the last two seasons. His talent re-emerged on September 14 with an eight-length romp over the extended nine-furlong course. One month later, this was confirmed with victory in the Jamaica Cup. At odds of 7-5 favourite, Mojito, ridden by Raddesh Roman for trainer Richard Azan, a five-year-old grey horse, had a spirited duel with Run Julie Run (3rd), with Girvan finishing a length and a half in second.

Opening the card, Galopin De Veloz (5-2), saddled by veteran Louis Richards for the six-furlong gallop, was the first of two wins on the card for the 2022 champion jockey Dane Dawkins. Race two, the Caymanas Two-Year-Old Sprint, run at six furlongs for maidens, went to Tia Ma (2-1). Well ridden by champion Raddesh Roman, for the first of four on the day. Tia Maria was also the opener of a stable double for former three-time titlist Anthony Nunes. Winner of the six-furlong sixth event by a length and a half, maiden filly Choo Blue (4-5) was the second for Nunes and Roman.

Bobbytwobad (5-1) looked very well in the post-parade and performed to match this conditioning. In front easily and clear at the end of the first furlong of seven, the four-year-old progeny of Soul Warrior was well rated by claimer Richie Shakes over the seven furlongs to score by a length and a half for owner/trainer Robert French.

Recent national awardee and former two-time champion, veteran Shane Ellis, in guiding Sonny T And Chippy to win race four over seven furlongs, was a reminder of why he is in the top 10 of the greatest local reinsmen of all time. Well off the pace five furlongs out, Ellis brought Sonny T And Chippy with a well-timed run on the far rails to lead close home and scored by a neck for owner/trainer Oral Hayden.

Imported three-year-old maiden, bet at 9-1, Ralph’s Treasure (USA), scored from in front over the six and a half furlongs of race five. Schooled by Gary Subratie and partnered by Shane Richards, Ralph’s Treasure (USA) had his rivals in trouble inside two furlongs and looked in control throughout.

Race seven, the St Elizabeth Distaff, restricted to fillies and mares, was dominated by 7-2 bet Main Mistress (USA), ridden by Roman to secure the third of his four wins. Saddled by Peter-John Parsard, Main Mistress(USA), an attractive and consistent four-year-old importee scored by nearly four lengths to register five wins and made the frame in another four of her 11 career starts. Race eight went to Byron Davis’s Nuclear Jet, who was always clear, scored by just over five lengths at the end of the gallop, for Dawkins to confirm his second success of the day.

The Training Feat Award goes to Richard Azan for the job with Mojito, a horse who is now nearly six years old, conditioning him to deliver the Best Winning Gallop. Naturally, the Jockeyship Award is presented to Raddesh Roman, who, in addition to his four-timer, was unplaced with only one of his nine rides on the card.

Dane Dawkins aboard Gallopin De Veloz. (Photo: Karl Mclarty)

Jockey Shane Ellis (right) shares details with trainer Oral Hayden of his winning ride aboard Sonny T and Chippy.(Photo: Karl Mclarty)