Elton Tucker,
Assistant Sport Editor
Feanny holds trump card in feature.
PHILIP FEANNY'S flying filly SIMPLY MAGIC is all set to add to her already big reputation when she takes on seven rivals in the rich Jamaica Lottery 2-Y-O Stakes over 1,600m at Caymanas Park tomorrow.
Secondary feature on the big 11-race Boxing Day card which gets underway at noon is the Harry Jackson Memorial Trophy which will be highlighted by another clash between the top-rated local bred five-year-old horse MENUDO and leading three-year-old colt MILLIMETRE.
Injuries and illness have combined to rob the 2-Y-O Stakes of much of its lustre. Stormontheloose and Dim Sum, two who were expected to give the ante-post favourite most to do are out. Stormontheloose, according to reports from the Jose Pinchin stable looked below her best after a workout last Friday while Dim Sum broke down at exercise recently.
With those two out the feature is expected to be just an afternoon stroll for SIMPLY MAGIC. Owned by David Villers the Royal Minister-Fontainbleu filly showed rare turn of foot to blow away her rivals twice over 1,400 metres. On November 10 SIMPLY MAGIC won the Red Stripe Breeders' Stakes by the commanding margin of eight lengths, slamming SIR DONALD and the previously unbeaten Stormontheloose in a fast 1.25.4. Then on December 8, the filly clocked an even faster 1.25.2 in beating BROTHER DANIEL in the Jamaica Turf Club 2-Y-O Stakes.
Tomorrow, SIMPLY MAGIC meets many of her rivals on improved terms and should cement her claim as the top two-year-old for 2001.
The Harry Jackson, an handicap event, should prove to be far more competitive. MENUDO, seeking his third consecutive victory in the event, has been burdened with the heavy impost of 60.5kg (133lbs) and will allow lumps of weight to a number of very useful 'A' class campaigners including stablemate COOL WATER (49kg), SOLID IMPACT (50kg), ALEXIMASTER (47kg) and, of course, MILLIMETRE (53kg).
MENUDO surprised his rivals with a weight-defying, front-running performance in the Red Stripe Superstakes. Taken to the lead by Florida-based Andrew Ramgeet soon after the start, MENUDO led on a tight rein before he was let loose by the rider 400m out and he powered away from a field which included Lotto Gold Cup winner I'MSATISFIED and MILLIMETRE.
The Richard Azan-trained horse had earlier shown in the Governor General Stakes on Heroes Day that he can shoulder weight successfully. In that event he carried 59kg to beat I'MSATISFIED and SOLID IMPACT. The last named mare comes back on similar terms but should not trouble the top-weight who now appears to be in his best form. Ramgeet again has the ride.
If MENUDO is beaten, punters need look no further than MILLIMETRE. The three-year-old colt is, as expected, improving rapidly and has much more class than I'MSATISFIED had at this stage last year.
MILLIMETRE, toting 55.5kg, ran a big race when just beaten, a neck by a nose, by I'MSATISFIED and DIABLO FOREVER in the 1,400m Lotto Gold Cup in a fast 1.24.4.
Tomorrow he will be not only be 2kg lighter but he will be ridden by the in-form Canada-based Shane Ellis after the connections decided not to use regular rider Charlie Hussey and go 1.5 to 2kg overweight.
MILLIMETRE showed excellent midrace speed 600m out to get into a challenging position in the Gold Cup and with Ellis expected to keep him nearer to the early pace he could nab the burdened MENUDO in the last 50m.
Jamaica Lottery Company, the sponsors of the raceday, have promised a treat for the expected bumper crowd. There will be lots of promotional giveaways being offered on the Lotto Wheel of Fortune.
In addition, the Lotto Company will also join with Caymanas Track Limited in hosting the now popular Kiddies Stables complete with Santa Claus and Christmas gifts. Several children from various children's homes will be feted.
