KINGSTON, Jamaica - The day’s feature was the first renewal of the 1,900-metre Winston Griffiths Classic. Despite repeated requests in this column for citations for such races to reappear in the official form book, these omissions continue unabated. Those responsible are of the view that the history of the sport is meaningless and does not necessarily support the knowledge base of the cohort of younger racing fans. Once again, I am hereby soliciting Chairman Clovis Metcalfe of the Jamaica Racing Commission to direct the promoting company, working with the publishers, to ensure there is a return to this accepted traditional practice.
Who is Winston Griffiths, OD, in whose honour the feature had its second staging? This is the jockey who started his career in 1975 and at the end of his career in 2015 was champion on five occasions. Griffiths rode 1,663 winners in his career including 11 in the Jamaica Derby and had five Triple Crown successes on the way to a world record 44 Classics.
Eight declarations reported to the starter for a race that was unlikely to have any other result than victory for the Ian Parsard-conditioned Brinks. Champion colt at two years, Brinks was runner-up in the 2000 Guineas and Derby as well as third in the St Leger in between.
For the first of his two wins on the 10-race card, Reyan Lewis bided his time with the colt allowing non-stayer Great Trick to lead on sufferance. Brinks the favourite at 1-5 then made the rest of the running from 1,000 metres out to outstay the nearest rival by three and a half lengths.
Trainer Lawrence Freemantle saddled hard-knocking five-year-old mare Anngelos to win the 1,400-metre opener at 3-1 with 2019 champion Christopher Mamdeen doing the riding honours.
In the day’s second run at 1,200 metres, enigmatic and hugely competitive reinsman Aaron Chatrie rode the first of his two winners on the day with trainer Kevin Brevette’s Trulicity at odds of 7-2 by a neck. Later Chatrie’s second won by significantly less than that.
Winner of race three over 1,100 metres Always Vigorous (6-5), trained by Rowan Mathie, won by over 13 lengths. Ridden by Oniel Scott for the last nine times consecutively, this was the 27th career appearance by the four-year-old filly as a maiden.
It was the riding double confirmation for Aaron “Iceman” Chatrie in race four over the 1,000 metres of the straight course. Acapella (5-2) sprinted well and just held on by a short head for long-standing trainer Michael Hall, who only had four prior starters this season, to open his seasonal account.
In the fifth, top-five conditioner Patrick “Wacky” Lynch saw the first of two wins. Joyful (4-1) outsprinted her rivals to give leading jockey Dane Dawkins his sole winner to move on to 69 which is five more than champion Anthony Thomas who endured a winless day. The margin of Joyful’s victory was nine lengths easing down at the end of the 1,100-metre gallop.
Lynch’s second came in the ninth event in tandem with Reyan Lewis, also completing his double success when El Profesor (7-1) proved to be the fastest finisher over the 1,000 metres of the round course.
Fifteen maidens charged down over the 1,000 metres straight course for the purse of the sixth and in a close finish, Gary Subratie’s Lord Burkington (Andre Powell) lasted home by a head at 7-1.
Whilst back on the 1,000-metre round for race seven, Lacrimae (Bebeto Harvey) reared at the start, lost ground early but sprinted well to score at 3-1-for former 14-time champion trainer Philip Feanny.
In the 1,400-metre nightcap former two-time champion Dick Cardenas was perfect aboard Randolph Scott’s Sensational Gold (9-2). Last of 12 to leave the gate Cardenas sent his mount to lead enterprisingly and was at the head of affairs before the completion of 200 metres. Turning for home in front Sensational Gold ran well enough inside the last 200 engendering just enough momentum to last home by a shorthead from even-money favourite Rusty (Jerome Innis).
The Training Feat Award is presented to Patrick Lynch for the performance of El Profesor under top weight to win at 1,000 metres round. The Best Winning Gallop was displayed by Sensational Gold in demonstrating admirable speed, courage and stamina, and the Jockeyship Award is reserved for Dick Cardenas who provided the requisite assistance from the saddle.
