Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
Distinctly Irish, with Winston Griffiths aboard, crosses the finish line to win the Red Stripe Superstakes at Caymanas Park last year. The defending champion is in doubt for tomorrow's race. - CARLINGTON WILMOT/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
A QUESTION mark hangs over the participation of reigning 'Horse of the Year' DISTINCTLY IRISH in tomorrow's showpiece event at Caymanas Park, the 27th running of the Red Stripe Superstakes which offers a total purse of $4 million.
Champion trainer Philip Feanny, who conditions DISTINCTLY IRISH - winner of the Derby and 2000 Guineas last year, said the classy four-year-old gelding was a "bit doubtful" for the race. When contacted yesterday afternoon, Feanny confirmed DISTINCTLY IRISH was not 100 per cent.
"He was 50/50", said the concerned trainer. "He worked only one day for the week so far ... He has a problem and I am working on it. His participation will depend on how he responds to treatment," said Feanny, who gave DISTINCTLY IRISH a nine-furlong canter on Wednesday morning.
When quizzed about the nature of the problem, Feanny declined to go into details.
PROBLEMS WITH JOINTS
However, The Gleaner learnt from another source close to the stable that the problem had to do with his joints.
Feanny said DISTINCTLY IRISH was examined by a vet last week and his fitness was a cause for concern.
Yesterday, his owner, Howard Hamilton, put it bluntly: "He's not well".
"His stifle joint is giving him problems but he has never been 100 per cent fit even when winning races. However he's such a talented horse that he could just give it his best shot and win on Saturday," he said.
Hamilton also runs DISTINCTLY IRISH's illustrious half brother, A KING IS BORN, in the $2 million Red Stripe Sprint Championship for which he is a howling ante-post favourite in a field of eight.
Both A KING IS BORN and DISTINCTLY IRISH are down to be ridden by leading all-time jockey Winston Griffiths, their customary pilot.
Victory for A KING IS BORN and DISTINCTLY IRISH would enable Hamilton to move from fourth to the top of the owners' championship with more than $11 million in stakes earnings.
