Will In Charge gets the nod but only just
THE battle for dominance of horse racing’s centre stage in Jamaica looms in the Cal’s Tomato Ketchup between a gelding, Will In Charge, and a filly, the well-decorated She’s A Maneater.
Yet there are five other starters in the Cal’s Tomato Ketchup Gold Cup, and as they say, the race has to be run before a winner becomes official.
Hence, at least theoretically, Chace The Great, Houdini’s Magic, Siempre Bueno, Another Bullet, and old stager Perfect Neighbour could thwart the leading lights in this seven-furlong (1,400 metres) contest, dubbed as the perfect distance for both stayers and sprinters alike.
It is going to unfold tomorrow, approximately 5:00 pm, and then all the questions will be answered and all the speculations laid to eternal rest.
The Supreme Racing Guide takes an in-depth look at the seven runners in the Cal’s Tomato Ketchup Gold Cup in post-position order.
SHE’S A MANEATER: (4.b.f Natural Selection – Ahwhofah) — Let’s first examine the handicaps in this race involving She’s A Maneater and Will In Charge — and while it has been universally proven handicapping is not an exact science, the weights given in this race do, however, give a guide to action as to the possible outcome of the race. On April 21, Will In Charge defeated She’s A Maneater by a length ( 9 furlongs + 25 yards) with She’s A Maneater toting top weight of 126 lbs (57.0 kgs). Will In Charge carried 54.0 kgs or 119 lbs. After that race, on June 30, Will In Charge again beat She’s A Maneater (nine furlongs), but that race is discounted from calculations as the latter stumbled badly out of the gates and did not run true to form. Now in tomorrow’s race, She’s A Maneater carries 126 lbs (57.0 kgs) again and Will In Charge, 53.5 kgs or 118 lbs, thereby gaining an advantage of one pound or ½ a kilogramme after a one-length victory. The handicaps are therefore in favour of Will In Charge over a distance which probably should suit both him and She’s A Maneater, with She’s A Maneater getting the edge on the journey side of the equation. Both horses have since that April 21 race gone on to win two races each, thereby confirming their class and form. While the weights are in favour of Will In Charge, She’s A Maneater, if she is ready and happy, is going to give of her best and that might be good enough. She cannot put a hoof wrong, though, as Will In Charge will be lurking and will not be giving up. The Cal’s Tomato Ketchup Gold Cup provides the perfect race to determine the best in the land.
CHACE THE GREAT: (5.ch.g Greatness – Our Miss Ruth) — Noticeable that Chace The Great is without her usual rider Anthony Thomas for this one. Coming on well as his trainer gets him in shape for defence of his sprint crown on November 10. Seven furlongs (1,400 metres) might be just a tad too long for Chace The Great to be at his effective best. Time will to tell.
WILL IN CHARGE: (5.ch.h Adore The Gold – Gem Lea) — As fit as hands can ever make him. Will In Charge is strong, he is consistent, he is a fighter, he is talented, and he is versatile. Even though seven furlongs might not be his best trip, his versatility is going to see him through as he is sure to use the weight advantage against She’s A Maneater to good use. At five-years-old, Will In Charge is now on the cusp of becoming the best horse currently in training. He is ready and is going to be difficult to beat.
SIEMPRE BUENO: (6.ch. g Market Rally – La Reina) –—Does not have a good record against the top three in the Gold Cup, namely She’s A Maneater, Will In Charge and Chace The Great. Siempre Bueno, although he might prefer going shorter than seven furlongs, represents the only true speed in the race and as such, with the piping hot Dick Cardenas in the saddle, if Siempre Bueno is allowed to lead unmolested, he can have a telling impact on the outcome. He is going to be a thorn in the sides of all runners in the Gold Cup.
HOUDINI’S MAGIC: (6.dkb.h Performing Magic – Milestone) — Started the year fairly well and then really produced the goods on June 30, in The Viceroy Trophy, when he spanked both Will In Charge and She’s A Maneater. Since then Houdini’s Magic has not replicated that form and that trend is almost sure to continue on the morrow.
ANOTHER BULLET: (6.b.h Nasheet – Wisely Noted) — Has earned his way to the top class by virtue of his ability, his consistency and his competitive toughness. Another Bullet might not be quite ready for these opponents in this Gold Cup, but slowly but surely he is getting there. He is going to run well and have a say.
PERFECT NEIGHBOUR: (8-dkb.g Natural Selection — Desperatehousewife) – Despite his many well-accomplished years in racing, Perfect Neighbour still continues to perform at a high level. He is a past winner of the Gold Cup, but it might be quite a stretch to expect him to do so again in 2018. Seven furlongs is not the ideal distance for Perfect Neighbour, making his possibilities of winning extremely low. Please note that Perfect Neighbour runs without the Figure 8.