KINGSTON, Jamaica - The featured Awesome Power Trophy run in honour of the 2001 Jamaica Derby winner was staged as the seventh on this the opening day of the three-day Labour Day weekend carnival. This maiden event was restricted to three-year-old fillies contesting 1,500 metres with 10 declarations entered.
Ridden by Reyan Lewis for leading conditioner Jason DaCosta, She’s My Friend (2-1) led into the home straight and was challenged successfully by Rowan Mathie’s Desha (7-2) approaching the distance. But the right-handed use of the whip by Youville Pinnock resulted in his mount swerving left and into the path of his main rival. Pinnock’s reliance on his whip suggests he did not exercise due care for the safety of his fellow professional.
There was a stewards’ inquiry and in addition an objection was lodged by Lewis, who clearly had a legitimate claim that he suffered interference and lost ground having to take evasive action to protect life and limb. The panel of operation stewards did not agree and the result was allowed to stand.
In this writer’s view, the officials got this one wrong in that She’s My Friend was staging a rally after being headed, stutter stepped for a couple of strides, and had her ground taken at a crucial stage. The usual interpretation and application of the guidelines that the runner-up did not lose a position and lost by nearly three lengths anyway should not have held sway. The fact of the matter is that Lewis’s anticipation of a serious collision prevented an incident that may well have had dire consequences.
Jamaljames (2-1), ridden by Tevin Foster for veteran trainer Wilfred Chin, saw out the 1,400 metres of opening event well enough under the skilful assistance of the in-form reinsman. Half an hour later Paul Francis earned an easy payday coming home nearly five lengths clear aboard Cartel (4-5) for trainer Ryan Darby in the 1,100-metre second event.
Twelve-year-old Royal Vibes, even money favourite in the third event run over 1,600, made winning look very easy in a nine-length romp with champion Anthony Thomas at the reins for trainer Victor Williams’ first of the season from 18 starts.
Thomas added a second in the fourth with Jason DaCosta’s first of two on the day when US importee Madelyn’s Sunshine confirmd her class with two straight wins.
Madelyn’s Sunshine, the impressive American-bred filly, owned by 2021 champion and current leader Carlton Watson, posted a decent clocking of 1:20:3 for the 1,300-metre gallop and won by just over two lengths.
Thomas was to have his third and DaCosta confirmed his second in the nightcap, run over 1,600 metres, going to It’s A Boy (3-1). Starting the meeting on 32 wins, two less than leader Dane Dawkins, Thomas now tops the riders’ standings for the first time this season at the end of this Saturday race day.
Atonement at odds of 3-5 was always clear in the 1,000-metre straight race five, giving owner/trainer Raymond Townsend his first win from 11 starts this season.
Whilst in the sixth event, 12-1 shot Sashamani Dance (Kiaman McGregor), trained by Linton Calder, won in the slowest clocking imaginable, returning 1:13.3 for 1,100 metres.
Conditioned by FitzGerald Richards and offering 4-5, God Of Love toting 57 kilogrammes, including Robert Halledeen, duly outsprinted nine pretenders to win the eighth run at 1,000 metres on the round course. The consistent six-year-old gelding was always well in control and won by four lengths in a convincing gallop.
The Training Feat Award is presented to Jason DaCosta for the turnaround in the form of thoroughly inconsistent It’s A Boy, who delivered the Best Winning Gallop, with the Jockeyship Award going to Anthony Thomas for his hard work in eliciting a good staying performance for this sluggard to score by over three lengths.
