INTERESTINGLY, today marks the commencement of the 34th year of the imposition of the failed 1930 American claiming system model on the local racing industry, in 1993.

Since the promotion of live horse racing has survived this malaise, it has to be said that it is a testimony to the love of horses by the stakeholders and the sports-loving members of the population who enjoy gaming on racing.

Featured and run as the eighth and final event on the programme was the traditional six-furlong St Catherine Cup. And the predictable farcical outcome materialised as 3-5 bet Nautical Star (USA) won by nearly 11 lengths, facing vastly inferior opponents who, in the interest of fairness to all owners, should not be allowable. If the promoting company is to be profitable then the genuine classification of the horse population must be the racing product for wagering.

This Nautical Star (USA), ridden by reigning two-time champion Raddesh Roman for former three-time titlist Anthony Nunes, was gifted the event by the flawed, money-losing claiming and condition system. The six-year-old horse, a winner of three races in the USA, competed two classes below what he faced as the 2-1 favourite in the US$350,000 Mouttet Mile last December.

In the opening event, run at seven furlongs, there was another predictable outcome with Lion Of Ekati (USA) being just under seven lengths in front at the end of the seven-furlong trip. Ridden by Reyan Lewis, the seven-year-old gelding declared by Orlando Chin started as the even money favourite and, racing at a hugely advantageous scale of weight once more, has now won six of his last seven races, albeit for two other trainers as well.

Race two, restricted to maiden three-year-old fillies, Giving Thanks (2-5) — schooled by former 14-time champion Philip Feanny and partnered by Tevin Foster — was 12 lengths ahead of the nearest of five rivals at the end of the six-furlong gallop. Meanwhile in race three, Conrod Ellis rode Sipping On Sunshine (8-1) to back-to-back victories over the full five-furlong straight course for trainer Winston Morris, this time by a length and a half.

Race four went to the Ray Phillips-conditioned Prince Kazaire (11-1), ridden by claimer Shavon Townsend for his fifth winner over the last four race days. The four-year-old colt, a progeny of Sensational Slam, scored by a half-length at the end of a five-furlong straight sprint when at the finish the first four were covered in the space of one length.

In winning race five aboard four-year-old maiden filly Last Possession (1-2), Roman had the first of his riding double. The Anthony Dixon-saddled progeny of Successful Native was unchallenged for a victory of eight lengths over the five and a half furlongs of race five. A late developer, it will not be entirely surprising if she succeeds in the non-winners of two category before long.

Although winning at odds of only 11-1, Design Diva’s more than nine-length success over the seven furlongs of race six must have been a total surprise for most punters. Prepared by Michael Spencer, she was ridden by apprentice Jaheim Anderson for his fourth winner in two days. Design Diva won on June 7, 2025, then in her next six starts the five-year-old mare was backed at total odds of 78/1. Further, her combined losing distances of being in arrears totalled 223 lengths.

Race seven on the truncated programme went by a neck to 7-2 bet Ralph’s Treasure (USA), ridden by Shane Richardson for Gary Subratie who also saddled 4-5 favourite Margarita for fourth place. A well-built progeny of Honest Mischief (USA) out of the Tiz Now (USA) mare Belleza (USA), Ralph’s Treasure (USA), although obviously not easy to train, has scope for improvement.

The Training Feat Award is presented to Michael Spencer for the unpredictable return to form of
Design Diva. The Best Winning Gallop, which required speed, stamina, and courage, was returned by Prince Kazaire, with Shavon Townsend taking the Jockeyship Award as the narrow victory required the full utilisation of his skill set.

Jaheim Anderson heads to scales after his win aboard Design Diva. (Photo: Joseph Wellington)