KINGSTON, Jamaica - Programmed as the final event on the nine-race Sunday card was another renewal of the Ahwhofah Trophy. Fourteen were declared for the 1,200-metre sprint with 2000 Guineas and Jamaica St Leger winner Blue Vinyl bet at 9-5 with I’ve Got Magic (USA) at 2-1 and next-best supported Money Monster offering 7-2.
Although securing more than $8 million in stakes, Blue Vinyl was having a rather inauspicious end to his productive season, finishing outside the frame on his last three attempts since finishing eight-and-a-half lengths third in the Jamaica Derby. The Patrick Lynch-conditioned colt was declared with blinkers for the second time and had the former two-time champion Shane Ellis aboard in this Overnight Allowance contest.
Blue Vinyl led most convincingly and had all, except the Philip Feanny-conditioned I’ve Got Magic, in trouble 500 metres out. By the time Blue Vinyl straightened for home, I’ve Got Magic (USA) was on the move and reigning champion Anthony Thomas manoeuvred the US importee to the far rails. Entering the final 150 metres, clear leader Blue Vinyl was swiftly overtaken by the impressive turn of finishing speed from I’ve Got Magic (USA), whose momentum was good enough to score by three-and-a-half lengths.
Well behind in its last 10 starts, Action Run (USA), in for $400,000 down from a high of $1 million to his lowest-ever of the last six starts in Claiming company, was bet a 5-2 and made most of running to win the 1,400-metre opener by nearly two lengths for trainer Leroy Tomlinson.
Winning two-kilo claiming rider Samantha Fletcher was slated for double success as an hour later she was back in the winners’ enclosure. On this occasion it was with trainer Donovan Plummer’s Three Card Guy (USA) at odds of 7-2 in the third event run at 1,000 metres straight.
The intervening 800-metre second event restricted to two-year-olds, dividing Fletcher’s two-timer, was won by 2-5 favourite Milos (Shane Ellis) to give outgoing three-time champion trainer Anthony Nunes the first of two successes on the day. Unraced since his debut on the first day of last August, Milos secured the odds but hardly impressed clocking 49.2 seconds for this short, straight gallop. Following the seventh run over 1,000 metres round, Nunes’ return to the winners’ enclosure with maiden Manaco (7-1) ridden by “Terrific” Tevin Foster.
Although absent since December 2021, race four provided little more than a canter for Patrick “Wacky” Lynch’s Simba The Lion (4-5) who was just over 13 lengths superior to nearest rival at the end of the 1,000-metre straight event with Dane Dawkins riding.
In race five, run at 1,300 metres, three-year-old Pretty Girl, saddled by Jason DaCosta with former six-time champion Omar Walker aboard, landed the odds of 3-2 racing in the claiming event.
In race six over 1,000-metres straight, two-kilo claiming jockey Jordan Barrett rode Atonement (14-1) to victory to give owner/trainer Raymond Townsend his fourth success from 28 starts this season.
Imported in utero, Peaky Blinders (Javaneil Patterson) was an interesting entry in the 1,000-metre race eight as he refused to race on the previous occasion. This is a progeny of successful US stallion Mshawish and won on debut despite starting poorly and swerving in both directions when leading but still posted a time of 59.2 seconds for today’s distance. There was a change of stable to Ian Parsard’s outfit in September. Sent off the 3-2 favourite, Peaky Blinders got the start wrong and was well behind early until he hit top stride 300 metres out and sprinted into the lead close to home.
The Training Feat Award is presented to Raymond Townsend for presenting Atonement in improved form to win immediately on promotion to the higher category and now meets the condition for Overnight Allowance competition. The Best Winning Gallop came from the hooves of speedy little filly with Jordan Barrett earning the Jockeyship Award for his excellent balance and ideal temperament in a highly competitive gallop.
