WEDNESDAY’S 10-race programme was the calm after the storm of Super Day just four days before.

Surprisingly well supported, interest on the day was removed from the best thoroughbreds in the land to the juveniles in this year’s renewal of the seven-furlong Abbie Grannum Memorial Cup, the longest race thus far for the two-year-olds and one which is seen as an important precursor for the one-mile Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes usually run on Boxing Day.

Ten horses faced the starter, with Awesome Code ending as the one-to-two favourite. However, it was first-time runner, Doc Holiday, from the barn of Superstakes winner Richard Azan, who got the job done in very encouraging style.

After being shut out on Super Day by the ‘big boys’ of the pigskin, the new apprentices returned on Wednesday with the proverbial bang. Of the 10 races on offer, they won seven, with established riders Richard Mitchell, Dane Nelson and Ameth Robles breaking the cycle of dominance. The first four races on the day all went to the young riders.

There were no double winners among the claiming riders, as Marc Griffiths, Romario Saunders, Shamaree Muir, Renardo McNaughton, Prince Holder, Ruja Lahoe and Orlando Foster all added to their winners’ tally, thereby restoring what is fast becoming an emerging orthodoxy at the track these days. Well done, lads!

It was good to see Ameth Robles back in the winners’ enclosure. The Panamanian, who has made Jamaica his home for years now, is the epitome of what is termed a journeyman rider. Robles rode Judge Judy to victory in the six-furlong Maiden three-year-old race for trainer Gordon Davis.

Robles has never been the star. He is the one who will do the exercise tasks and from time to time is rewarded for his hard work with a winning ride. Good win also for Davis, his second to date.

More anon!