Commander Two in fine nick after good win
Commander Two took over the favourite slot for the colts and geldings 2000 Guineas Classic set for Sunday, April 15, after beating a field of real good horses to more than establish his credentials for the race.
Last month’s Prince Consort Stakes (March 17) was targeted for the talented Commander Two but he did not participate as, according to his trainer Patrick Taylor, there were some minor matters to deal with in order to get his charge just right for his prep run and ultimately to take part in the 2000 Guineas.
Having missed the Prince Consort Stakes, Taylor decided to give his bay gelding a run before the Classic in a Restricted Stakes event over seven-and-a-half furlongs (1,500m) on Saturday, March 31, 2018.
The race provided an opportunity for the connections to assess the readiness of Commander Two for the 2000 Guineas.
Commander Two, ridden by Javaniel Patterson, did not rush for the lead as is his usual tendency. Instead he slotted in behind My Sugarman (Dane Nelson) and the other leaders in fourth spot, before tearing his rivals apart from the top of the straight with a quick burst and even though he was coming back a bit as Drummer Boy (Jerome Innis) closed rapidly, there was no denying Commander Two.
The final time, which was recorded at 1:32.3, was the same done by Commander Two when he won over the same distance on January 31.
A smiling and obviously pleased trainer Taylor said that it is now smooth sailing for his charge heading into the 2000 Guineas.
“During his [ Commander Two] last run, he drifted out in the straight. For sure that was telling me that there was an issue with him and that we needed to address that issue. After the race in January, I called the vet and he did an examination and realised that there indeed was an issue.
“We sorted out that but due to the time dealing with the issue and so forth, we couldn’t get to go into the Prince Consort because of that short lay-off, so we took our time and reprogrammed him. We took our time and brought him forward to today (Saturday) for his prep run ahead of the 2000 Guineas.
“I am pleased with the run. I expected the win and Commander Two has delivered for the owner and myself. The most important thing was that he won and he had made me and the owner proud. I am feeling good about the 2000 Guineas now,” Taylor told the Supreme Racing Guide.
When asked about the rider for the 2000 Guineas, Taylor said: “More than likely the jockey is going to be Javaniel Patterson. He had been brilliant with him and he has made us very proud.”
At the off, My Sugarman (Dane Nelson) blasted into the lead over Legendary U (Robert Halledeen) and Without Exception (Omar Walker) with Commander Two in fourth spot.
Commander Two pointed on the lead heading towards the five-furlong (1,000m) marker with My Sugarman pressing all the time. However, going into the half-mile (800m), My Sugarman regained the lead and began to open up on Commander Two.
Commander Two, though, refusing to give up, switched gears and joined My Sugarman on the lead turning for home before powering away to what was shaping up to be a romp. But Drummer Boy came with a strong run in the final stages of the race to lose narrowly in the end. My Elle Belle (Oneil Mullings) finished third ahead of My Sugarman, who drifted out in deep stretch to finish under the stand side in fourth position.