- Michael Sloley/Freelance Photographer
NAUGHTY BY NATURE (Winston Griffiths) wins the 64th running of the Courts Jamaica Oaks from fast finishing ONE ONE NINE (Trevor Simpson) at Caymanas Park yesterday.
Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
NAUGHTY BY NATURE made amends for her wretched display as the favourite in the April 5 Track Price Plus 1000 Guineas with a fighting victory yesterday in the season's third classic, the Courts Jamaica Oaks over 2000 metres at Caymanas Park.
Installed a 4-5 favourite in a field of 10 native bred three-year-old fillies, NAUGHTY BY NATURE, ridden for the first time by leading all-time jockey Winston "Fanna" Griffiths for owner/trainer Paul J. Fung, won by a length from the 3-2 second favourite ONE ONE NINE with champion jockey Trevor Simpson riding for champion trainer Wayne DaCosta.
In third place, a farther length and a half away, was the surprise of the event, the maiden filly QUEEN OF DIAMONDS at huge odds of 99-1. She was ridden by former champion apprentice Ramon Parish for trainer Dwight Chen, while fourth went to SHE'S A RANKING at 8-1 with Clive Lynch aboard.
It was the 45-1 outsider LUCKY LUCKY LUCKY and QUEEN OF DIAMONDS who alternated in the lead for the first half of the race, followed closely by CRUCIAL SEASON and the grey WAR TURF with NAUGHTY BY NATURE biding her time just off the early pace in fifth and ONE ONE NINE badly outpaced after the first 800 metres.
LUCKY LUCKY LUCKY, who made most, gave way to the lightly raced CRUCIAL SEASON (13-1) under former champion Wesley Henry approaching the half mile but she in turn soon gave way to NAUGHTY BY NATURE at the 600-metre pole.
NAUGHTY BY NATURE turned for home with QUEEN OF DIAMONDS stalking her on the outside and ONE ONE NINE, who by then had made rapid headway, coming three wide into the straight. But although looking in danger of defeat approaching the distance, Griffiths was not to be denied as he drove NAUGHTY BY NATURE for all she was worth to stave off a strong challenge from ONE ONE NINE on the outside with QUEEN OF DIAMONDS staying on well for third on the inside rails.
Griffiths, who holds the world record for most classic wins, pushed his tally to 38 in a remarkable riding career. This in fact marked his second classic success of the season following A KING IS BORN in the Track Price Plus 2000 Guineas on April 5.
For new trainer Paul J. Fung, this was a day he will long remember. A nervous wreck before the race, he contained his joy with a cool exterior after the event, but the trainer who had lived in Canada for many years before coming back to try his luck at Caymanas Park, confessed that he was quietly confident.
"She was coughing going into the Guineas and to make matters worse she also stumbled at the start that day and didn't come out of the race in good condition. So I sought advice from trainers like Noel Ennevor and Philip Feanny, then went back to the drawing board with her.
"I opted for Griffiths because he was available and the rest is history," said Fung who is not only the owner and trainer of NAUGHTY BY NATURE, but the breeder as well, having brought down her dam Bump 'N' Whine with him from Canada. NAUGHTY BY NATURE is a bay filly by Prime Rate Powers.
Griffiths disclosed that NAUGHTY BY NATURE has qualities that should make her a very good horse.
"First of all she can stay. During the first half of the race I tried to restrain her. She had something in reserve for the stretch run and in the end she showed good battling qualities," said the five-time champion. However, he was non-committal at this stage when asked if he would stick with the filly for the remaining Classics.
"I really can't answer that question now. We just have to wait and see".
While out of luck in the Oaks, Simpson emerged the day's leading rider with three winners in 2-5 favourite PRINCESS ALEXANDRA, stable-companion BLACK THATCH a 4-5 favourite in the seventh and ETERNAL STREAM at 3-2 in the eighth race for maiden three-year-olds. Both PRINCESS ALEXANDRA and BLACK THATCH were saddled by DaCosta.
The day's second feature for the Lady Geeta Trophy for top class horses over 1200 metres was won by the 9-5 second favourite MILLIMETRE with Brian Harding substituting for the originally declared rider, Ameth Robles, who rode on Friday but was absent yesterday.
In keeping with the Oaks/Ladies Day theme, 22 nurses were honoured by Courts Jamaica Limited under the tent on the infield at Caymanas Park. Among them was Ancylin Morgan, matron of the Cornwall Regional Hospital. She also won the Hot Hat contest for which she received a $10,000 gift certificate from Courts.
