Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
BIG HORSE I'MSATISFIED turned in another weight-defying performance at Caymanas Park yesterday to win the Stakes and Starter Handicap Abe Issa Memorial Cup feature (Stakes and Starter Handicap I) over 1200 metres.
Toting top weight of 57kg with leading all-time jockey Winston Griffiths again at the helm, I'MSATISFIED, a 4-5 favourite, won by half a length from the reigning Caribbean Sprint champion COOL WATER (5-2) under Shane Ellis with a similar margin to his lesser fancied stable companion NEFTENGA (8-1) staying on well with Trevor Simpson astride.
Prominently placed in third as the rank outsider, SEDUCTION made most from PERSONAL NEMESIS in the field of six, I'MSATISFIED was forced to come four wide entering the straight at which stage COOL WATER had made a sharp move to straighten second in the middle.
COOL WATER disposed of SEDUCTION in a flash, but I'MSATISFIED was looming large on the outside at this stage and soon mounted his challenge, going by in the last 200 metres to win somewhat easier than the official margin indicated.
The winner, a 5-y-o dark bay gelding by The Medic out of Midnight Angel, is owned by Joseph "Fuggie" Duany, trained by reigning champion Philip Feanny and bred by Clovis Metcalfe. This was I'MSATISFIED's first outing since his narrow victory over DIABLO FOREVER in the $1.5 million Lotto Gold Cup over 1400 metres on December 15. Duany was truly satisfied:
"After winning the Triple Crown in 2000, he had to wait a long time to make his mark in 'A1'. It was only late in the year when he won two races including the Gold Cup that we realised that he was indeed a big horse," Duany said.
"This year he should prove to be the best horse up to a mile in the country. Today's performance proves that he can sprint with the best. He stays as well and plenty more satisfaction lies ahead", he said.
Feanny posted a second on the 10-race card in 1-2 favourite MISS U. DOC, while Wayne DaCosta's YOUNG FOR ALL became the fourth winner to be disqualified this season after passing the post first (by a neck) following a tremendous bumping match with 3-5 favourite SIR DONALD in the first race over a mile. The Stewards axed YOUNG FOR ALL for repeated intimidatory riding by jockey Trevor Simpson against Shane Ellis aboard the Richard Azan-trained SIR DONALD in the straight.
