Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
TUESDAY'S big Boxing Day meet at Caymanas Park will be highlighted by the $2 million Jamaica Lottery 2-Y-O Stakes to be contested by the top juveniles over 1600 metres.
This grade one futurity is sponsored for the first time by the Jamaica Lottery Company Limited under a recently announced $12.5 million five-year deal with Caymanas Track Limited which also includes the $1.25 million Lotto Gold Cup, which was run on December 16.
Also on the holiday programme is the million-dollar Harry Jackson Memorial Cup, a grade one race (handicap) for three-year-olds and up over 2400 metres.
Among the seven starters is last year's winner and leading 'Horse of the Year' contender MENUDO, the crack imported colt DEPUTY'S REPORT, this year's Triple Crown winner I'MSATISFIED and the recent Lotto Gold Cup winner LET'S GO DANCIN with 'jockey of the moment' Wesley Henry again in the saddle.
Eleven native bred two-year-olds are slated to contest the Jamaica Lottery Company 2-Y-O Stakes, including the top-rated MILLIMETRE from the stables of champion trainer-designate Philip Feanny. The chestnut colt by Royal Minister out of the 1990 Oaks winner Millford Sound bids for his third win from his past four starts.
After closing strongly to catch stable-companion RAKKADASH in the valuable Hi-Pro Stables Choice Feeds Trophy over 1200 metres on October 16, MILLIMETRE was installed a hot favourite to follow up in the $1.25 million Red Stripe 2-Y-O Breeders' Stakes over 1400 metres on November 11.
However, he experienced traffic problems when full of running early in the straight and ended up a length third to the subsequently disqualified KING AL, who renews the rivalry on similar terms.
The race was awarded to PEACE & LOVE who just held off the fast-finishing MILLIMETRE by a nose for second. Behind them that day were ALEX'S PEGASUS, who finished only a length away fourth and AWESOME POWER who was six lengths fifth.
Since his luckless run in the Breeders' Stakes, MILLIMETRE came back to right that wrong. He romped home in the valuable Jamaica Turf Club 2-Y-O Stakes over 1400 metres on December 9, running on strongly in midstretch to beat KING AL and the front running RAKKADASH by 1 3/4 lengths.
Given the quality of his performances, MILLIMETRE has stamped himself as the best of the current crop of juveniles and today he should put the icing on the cake. He looked razor sharp at exercise on Thursday morning when galloping three furlongs in 34.4 and with a mile even more to his liking, should take command from early in the straight and win convincingly with three-time champion Charles Hussey again at the helm.
I am expecting worthwhile performances from the Wayne DaCosta-trained KING AL and Percy Hussey's PEACE & LOVE, both well prepared and coming to run.
They appear the twin dangers to MILLIMETRE, as RAKKADASH despite boasting superior speed is not the best suited to a mile. And ALEX'S PEGASUS was beaten too badly by MILLIMETRE in the Turf Club 2-Y-O Stakes to hold out much hope for him even with the visor removed. The others should be outclassed.
The recent Red Stripe Superstakes winner MENUDO is tipped to win the Harry Jackson Memorial Cup for the second year running and seal 'Horse of the Year' honours.
True, he ran poorly (sixth) in the recent Lotto Gold Cup and is up against a classy campaigner in topweight DEPUTY'S REPORT and a revitalised one in I'MSATISFIED, who showed with his second place finish to LET'S GO DANCIN in the Gold Cup that he has caught the pace of the top class. Remembering his Triple Crown success, I'MSATISFIED could be crowned 'Horse of the Year' were he to win this prestigious race.
Indeed, I'MSATISFIED and MENUDO are the only two runners to have won over the distance. I take Richard Azan's MENUDO to outstay his opponents with 54.5kg. After all, the 4-y-o colt by The Medic out of Making Peace is the best stayer in training at present and has a touch of class as well.
