- Michael Sloley/Freelance Photographer
THE VICE is eased down by jockey Winston Griffiths to win yesterday's 2-y-o feature by 6 3/4 lengths at Caymanas Park. The son of Al's River Cat is unbeaten in two starts.
Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
WAS IT The VICE or THE VICEROY? The unbeaten two-year-old THE VICE brought back memories of three-time 'Horse of the Year' THE VICEROY (1989, 1990, 1992) as a two-year-old with a smashing victory in yesterday's Caymanas Park feature, the $500,000 Three Way Drop Pan Stakes/Yearling Sale Series No. 2 over 1200 metres.
Installed a 1-2 favourite in a field of five native bred two-year-olds, THE VICE, ridden by leading all-time jockey Winston Griffiths for outgoing champion trainer Philip Feanny, won by 6 3/4 lengths from stable-companion ROYAL TIARA (23-1), covering the distance in the smart time of 1:12.1, behind splits of 22.3, 46.2.
TO SIR WITH LOVE and GENTLE ON LINE (bolted) were late non-starters.
Well away from the No. 3 post position, THE VICE was joined quickly by the 4-5 second favourite DANCE DIXIE on the lead and both raced neck and neck to the half mile, some three lengths ahead of OUTSWINGER followed by an even bigger gap to ROYAL TIARA outpaced in fourth.
Leaving the half mile, however, THE VICE began to move ahead of the Charlie Hussey-ridden DANCE DIXIE even though Griffiths had him on the bridle.
After turning for home some two lengths clear of DANCE DIXIE and OUTSWINGER (advancing), THE VICE responded to two gentle reminders by opening up a five length lead passing the furlong pole, going on to win with contemptuous ease.
Owned by K&B Racing Stables and bred by Keith and Bentley Northover, THE VICE has now won twice from as many starts.
The grey colt by Al's River Cat out of the You O.K. mare The Editor had previously won Race No. 1 in the Three Way Drop Pan Yearing Sales series over 1100 metres by all of nine lengths on his November 2 debut.
Earlier on the nine-race programme, 14-1 outsider SIREN denied Griffiths and Feanny the first leg of a Cup race double when staving off the fast-finishing SEXY by half a length in the Flossie McNeil Memorial Cup over 1200 metres for native bred three-year-old fillies (non winners of two).
Ridden by Richard 'Biah' Mitchell for in-form trainer Richie Todd, SIREN, who is usually tardy at the start, broke sharply on this occasion and was ridden to chase the early leader SAMMY MY GIRL under Trinidadian jockey Brian Harding.
SIREN went through on the inside leaving the half mile and when 6-5 second favourite CLASSY TANYA loomed for a challenge from early in the straight, found extra to put paid to her chances, then had enough in reserve to hold the fast finishing 4-5 favourite SEXY at bay on the rails, as CLASSY TANYA finished a close third in the field of 10.
Meanwhile, leading jockey Trevor 'Slicer' Simpson took two steps closer in his bid to erase George HoSang's all-time seasonal record of 167 winners, thanks to a double comprising 3-5 favourite VISIONARY in the first race over the round five course and 2-5 favourite FIASCO in the fifth to move to 156 winners.
He needs 12 more winners in 10 race days to break HoSang's 1974 record. 'Fanna' Griffiths also rode two winners in THE VICE and 4-5 favourite JET BLUE.
Leading trainer Wayne DaCosta posted his 98th winner of the season, IDITAROD (13-1) under veteran jockey Charlton Riley in the knotty one mile overnight allowance race, while apprentice Kemar Lynch rode his second winner in the pre-graduation series of races, this time aboard the front-running favourite BIG BELLY SAM who completed a hat-trick of wins. Division II was won by 5-1 chance QUEEN LITTLE SHOES, ridden by Garfield Morgan.
Today, there will be an extra-ordinary general meeting of the Jamaica Racehorse Owners' Association at the Hotel Four Seasons, Ruthven Road, starting at 10:30 a.m. Discussions will centre on the state of the racing industry.
