Pack Plays required only 1:30.0 seconds to dismiss his rivals in the Chairman’s Trophy, a Grade One contest over seven and a half furlongs. The race carried added importance as one of the designated ‘Win And You’re In’ qualifiers for the US$300,000 Mouttet Mile, scheduled for the first Saturday in December.

The five-year-old brown horse, bred in the United States by Stay Thirty out of Standard Deal, is trained by Rowan R Mathie and was partnered by Christopher Mamdeen.

The Race

From the moment the gates opened, Mamdeen placed Pack Plays at the head of affairs, dictating the fractions with ease, while the other five runners struggled to match the established pace of the American-bred. Tracking the leader in order were Girvano (Robert Halledeen), Intrestintimesahead (Shaheem Gordon), and California Crown (Jerome Innis), with Barnaby (Raddesh Roman) and Provident (Jordan Barrett) disputing the rear.

Approaching the four-furlong marker, Mamdeen asked his mount to quicken, and Pack Plays responded by stretching the field. Turning for home, he was already in full command, the jockey glancing behind to confirm there was no danger. None came. Pack Plays strode clear to win by 7 ½ lengths. Girvano held second, with Barnaby another 2 ½ lengths back in third. The winner posted splits of 25.2, 46.4, and 1:11.2, securing his sixth career victory from 18 starts and pushing earnings close to $9 million.

Trainer’s Comment – Rowan R Mathie

“An excellent performance from Pack Plays, who continues to progress. Securing a place in the Mouttet Mile is significant, as I can now plan his races with greater flexibility, without the pressure of qualification. The priority will be to keep him sound and to place him carefully.”

Jockey’s Comment – Christopher Mamdeen

“Pack Plays is pure speed. My role was simply to ensure he did not do too much too soon. From the start, he was comfortable, with no rival close enough to challenge. I kept him steady, moved when I wanted, and at the finish he was still within himself. He is a good horse who has more to offer.”

The Others

•Girvano: Tried hard, with Halledeen urging him from three and a half furlongs out, but the winner was beyond reach. His second-place finish earned $376,000, keeping his Mouttet Mile hopes alive.

•Barnaby: Sent off the even-money favourite, but after a poor break never produced his customary late surge. Recently returned from health issues, he still requires further work.

•Intrestintimesahead: Showed early pace but faded once the tempo increased, finishing more than 16 lengths behind the winner. Better off in the lower Overnight Allowance rank.

•Provident: Never competitive, finishing fifth of six. Best suited to Overnight company.

•California Crown: Failed to display expected speed. Likely to be more effective over shorter trips.

Conclusion

Pack Plays has set the standard at this stage of the season in the build-up to the Mouttet Mile. Whether others can rise to the challenge remains to be seen.

Trainer Rowan R Mathie making sure Pack Plays is cool and comfortable. The jockey is Chris Mamdeen. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

Pack Plays (Chris Mamdeen), a lonely winner of the Chairman’s Trophy. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)