KINGSTON, Jamaica - As indicated by his exaggerated celebration, infrequently engaged four-kilo claiming rider Oshadene Robinson (01) was easily the most satisfied of the professional group on the day.
Breaking his mount Schlesinger (13-1), saddled by Winchester McIntosh, smartly from stall seven and chasing the leading Freedom For Eds, Schlesinger emerged with the lead inside the last 200 metres. Robinson was all balance and composure to ward off a strong late challenge from 4-5 favourite Okahumpka (Tevin Foster - 39) to win the 700-metre dash of the opening event by three parts of a length.
Race two, run over 1,400 metres, was won by 1-2 favourite Garrincha (Phillip Parchment - 06) declared by Donovan Russell leaving the nearest opponent less than five lengths adrift, but the rest strung out over another 36 lengths behind.
Race three, run at 1,000 metres round, was vastly different with Paul Francis (08) holding preferred front runner Sniper Man (3-5) off the early pace and delivering a successful late challenge for trainer Michael Spencer’s first career success.
Panamanian-born Ameth Robles on his 14th and first winning mount of the season guided the Randolph Scott-owned and trained Inspired Miracle (3-1) to an eight-length triumph over the 1,500 metres of race four.
In the 1,100-metre fifth, maiden Ooh So Long (9-2), a two-length winner, was saddled by Anthony Ferguson from her 28th career start and was Oshane Nugent’s fifth winning mount this year.
Before the halfway mark of the 1,500-metre race six, Essential Quality (7-2) had her eight rivals in trouble as former three-time champion Anthony Thomas (24) had the maiden in front and in invincible isolation. Nothing got closer than 11 lengths for trainer Oral Hayden to record his first career success in style. This the co-feature event was staged in honour of outstanding Classic winner Awesome Power.
In winning his second race from five starts, United States import, three-year-old colt Major Danger gave further confirmation of his promise. Schooled by Anthony Dixon and well ridden by Bebeto Harvey (06), the sturdy American was always clear in his previous event but had to bide his time behind the early frontrunner before assuming the lead 300 metres out here before going on to score by nearly two lengths.
The first renewal of the Seeking My Dream Trophy in honour of this outstanding past Classic winner shared the feature. This was race eight over 1,500 metres and it was trainer Dale Murphy’s US-bred Runaway Algo (Linton Steadman 09) at 3-5 in name and nature.
Strong cantering to the lead on the bridle and pursued by 2022 Guineas & St Leger winner Blue Vinyl, the four-year-old American brushed aside the unconvincing early challenger and won by more than 13 lengths over 2021 St Leger & Derby hero Calculus.
Heavy rains delayed the start of race nine and changed the official going to sloppy creating ideal conditions for Jason DaCosta’s speedy five-year-old mare Super Duper (5-2). Veteran reinsman Oniel Mullings made sure she was clear early and over seven lengths in front at the finish. Whilst in the closing 1,400-metre event of ten, trained by Errol Burke, Get A Pepsi (1-1) enjoyed the sloppy surface to the tune of more than 16 lengths better than the field with champion jockey Dane Dawkins (29) aboard.
The Training Feat Award was not an easy call on this programme, but it is presented to Michael Spencer for the performance of Sniper Man delivering the Best Winning Gallop as he is not known to enjoy seeing any of his rivals. Therefore, Paul Francis cops the Jockeyship Award for his measured tactical execution of the assignment.
