Race Day Review — Saturday, August 19, 2023
The opening event on the programme of 10 races was significant for recently licensed Jamaica Racing Commission trainer Donwell Dawes.
Ali (8-5) was the sixth starter of the trainer’s fledging career. The seven-year-old chestnut horse was always clear over the 1,400 metres trip winning by six lengths. Dawes now joins the band of new licensees making consistent trips to the winners’ enclosure. For leading reinsman Reyan Lewis, this was the first of a triple success on the card as he marches towards his first riding title.
The good form of 2023 Derby winning trainer Patrick Lynch, the third most successful conditioner this season, was extended in race two and further in race five. Over the 1,600-metre gallop of the former, Lynch’s entry, Select Me (3-1), could see her six rivals for the first 1,400 metres but sprinted to the lead 100 metres out under the superb timing of two-kilogramme claimer Ramon Nepare to score at the end of 1600 metres.
Champion Dane Dawkins (56), declared by trainer Anthony Smith to partner game little filly Rhosa The Warrior (2-1), was confident as he guided her home ahead of six rivals in the days third run at 1,000 metres on the round course.
To close a double, the skilful Dawkins had a particularly good piece of luck in the 1,820-metre race four aboard the Gary Subratie-trained Slam Dunk (4-5) to give the rider a chance for a hat-trick. Ironically, Slam Dunk was disqualified from first when he won on the ninth of April.
First past the post was Mr Senator, ridden by Tevin Foster for trainer Anthony Nunes, outstayed Slam Dunk by five lengths. Following the inevitable Steward’s Inquiry, the winner was disqualified for causing intimidation and interference to Slam Dunk as well as another rival.
Subratie was to enjoy double success as Dawkins, to close his riding treble was aboard his Money Box (5-1) in the closing event for maidens run at 1,400 metres.
It was Lewis’s time again in race five but now in tandem with Lynch for the stable double. Turned out in the peak of condition by Lynch, 1-5 favourite Simba The Lion overcame a very slow beginning by sprinting into lead with 200 of the 1,400 metres completed. Lewis made sure there was no idling on the part of his mount as Simba The Lion won by nearly two lengths.
Conditioned by Dale Murphy, Coalition (9-2) a half-brother to top-class campaigner Runaway Algo (USA), racing for only the fourth occasion released his maiden tag over 1,400 metres with Raddesh Roman in the saddle making it look easier than it was in scoring by just over one length.
In race seven, contested over 1,500 metres, Richard Azan’s improving colt Burlap (7/2) cantered in by nearly ten lengths with jockey Javaniel Patterson sitting still from the top of the home straight.
Retuning to sprinting in race eight after finishing well behind in the 2,000 metres Jamaica Oaks, Rowan Mathie’s Lady Abhimala (4-5) needed the experience and guile of veteran reinsman Paul Francis to be victorious. The cramped starting price was confirmed at the end of a battle royal from early with 33-1 shot Digital Light in the 1,000-metre round contest. With the lead changing hands twice, it was only settled in the final 20 metres with Lady Abhimala three parts of a length superior.
Run as race nine at the Overnight Allowance level, this renewal of the Arthur Jones Memorial had a more than seven-length runaway. This in the form of Jason DaCosta’s progressive US-bred three-year-old colt Is That A Fact (1-1) being mostly on the bridle over the 1,200 metres. Ridden by Lewis for a third riding success on the card, there is little doubt that Is That A Fact (USA), a progeny of Grade 1 Stakes winner Palace Malice, will almost certainly compete successfully in the top category in due course.
The Training Feat Award is presented Gary Subratie for the transformation of Money Box. This maiden colt showed little or no ability in his first three starts commencing last May; this prior to his rider being unseated on the seventh of August this year. The Best Winning Gallop was executed by Lady Abhimala in a performance highlighted by gameness combined with the invaluable assistance of Paul Francis, who takes the Jockeyship Award.