- Dennis CokeThe brilliant filly SIMPLY MAGIC (Winston Griffiths) is clear of rivals in the 82nd Red Stripe Derby at Caymanas Park yesterday.
Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer.
GUINEAS AND Oaks heroine SIMPLY MAGIC romped the 82nd running of the Red Stripe Jamaica Derby over 2400 metres yesterday and seems destined to become the first filly to win the coveted triple crown at Caymanas Park.
SIMPLY MAGIC will now be prepared for the third and final leg of the triple crown series, the World Talk St. Leger over 2000 metres on Saturday, July 6.
Ridden by leading all-time jockey Winston "Fanna" Griffiths for 13-time champion trainer Philip Feanny, both of whom were inducted to racing's 'Hall of Fame' at the annual Pre-Derby Dinner on Thursday night at the Terra Nova Hotel, SIMPLY MAGIC, the 3-5 favourite, powered home by five lengths from the Track Price Plus 2000 Guineas winner FROMRUSSIAWITHLOVE, a 2-1 second favourite under champion jockey Charles Hussey.
Finishing third, a farther three-quarter length away, was 16-1 chance BROTHER DANIEL who in turn was clear of 27-1 shot MEDIC ON BOARD in a field of nine native bred three-year-olds.
SIMPLY MAGIC, the lone filly, was held off the early pace in fifth position passing the stands for the first time as BROTHER DANIEL led comfortably from BOMBS OVER BAGHDAD and YOUNG FOR ALL.
As they sorted themselves out, BROTHER DANIEL maintained the lead over BOMBSOVERBAGHDAD and YOUNG FOR ALL until Griffiths decided to step on the gas leaving the 1200-metre pole.
The filly was sent in chase of BROTHER DANIEL approaching the five and although Clive Lynch tried to step up the pace aboard the Percy Hussey-trained colt approaching the half mile, SIMPLY MAGIC was already down his throat.
She disposed of him leaving the half mile and with the rest toiling at this stage, turned for home some three lengths clear of BROTHER DANIEL.
Thereafter it was smooth sailing, as she stayed on very strongly to win with contemptuous ease, leaving the stable-companions FROMRUSSIAWITHLOVE and BROTHER DANIEL to fight it out for second.
Owned and bred by David Willers, SIMPLY MAGIC, a bay filly by Royal Minister out of the Fountain of Gold mare Fontainbleu, was notching her seventh consecutive win and her fourth this season. She remains the season's leading money spinner with close to $4 million in stakes.
An elated Feanny, who was saddling his 33rd classic winner, said:
"We knew Brother Daniel had a purpose... he would lead for five or so furlongs, so we elected to wait and the filly responded beautifully". he explained.
"She is obviously a filly of extreme class and the best is yet to come", he promised.
"I think I had the race won at the half mile", said Griffiths. "I would say without reservation that she's the best filly I have ridden so far", added the five-time champion jockey who has ridden over 1400 winners at Caymanas Park, the most by a an English speaking Caribbean jockey.
It was his 35th classic win and his eighth in the Derby.
Among the thousands at the track was Prime Minister P.J. Patterson who not only presented the Sir John Mordecai Derby Trophy to the connections of the winner, but made an important announcement relating to the horse racing industry as well.
He said Cabinet recently approved certain changes to the tax regime applicable to the importation and sale of racehorses in order to give encouragement to the horse breeding sector. As a result the Government has waived custom duties on the importation of horses and removing GCT as well.
Trinidadian jockey Brian Harding highlight the 11-race programme with four winners, while the bold front runner METEOR MAN (7-1), ridden by leading jockey Trevor Simpson for leading trainer Wayne DaCosta, won the valuable Chairman's Trophy for top class horses over 1500 metres by a wide margin.
