GRIFFITHS
Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
DISTINCTLY IRISH stamped himself as the best native bred youngster seen out so far this season, thanks to an impressive post-to-post victory in the Jamaica Turf Club 2-Y-O Stakes over 1400 metres at Caymanas Park yesterday.
Installed a 1-5 favourite with leading all-time jockey Winston Griffiths again at the helm, DISTINCTLY IRISH won by six lengths from 3-1 chance LATONIA under Shane Ellis in a field of four, with third going to 9-5 second favourite PERFECT TEN. SEAGAR (sick) was declared a late non-starter.
It was PERFECT TEN who broke on top but she quickly gave way to the rail running DISTINCTLY IRISH after six or so strides.
DISTINCTLY IRISH proceeded to lead on a snug hold from LATONIA close up, followed by a three-length gap to PERFECT TEN with Simon Husbands in the saddle and the rank outsider IRISH CREAM (13-1) tailed off.
Although turning for home with LATONIA still in close touch on the outside and PERFECT TEN running on the spot, as Brian Rickman would say, DISTINTLY IRISH responded to several gentle reminders from Griffiths by quickening into a clear lead approaching the distance, after which the issue was never in doubt.
UNBEATEN IN TWO STARTS
Owned by Hamark Farms and trained by 13-time champion Philip Feanny, DISTINCTLY IRISH, a half brother to this year's Guineas and Derby winner A KING IS BORN, is unbeaten in two starts, having made an auspicious debut over 1100 metres in the Lotto Appreciation Day Sprint on November 1.
Bred by Ken Gooden, the robust bay gelding by Irish Quest out of the 1990 Guineas and Derby winner Distinctly Native, is now a hot ante-post favourite for the $2 million Jamaica Lottery Company 2-Y-O Stakes over a mile on Boxing Day.
Owner Howard Hamilton (Hamark Farms), who had a successful season with A KING IS BORN, has high hopes for DISTINCTLY IRISH, but when asked if he thinks the gelding would develop into a classic winning three-year-old like his fleet footed stable-companion next year, he said it was too early to tell.
"There's no doubt that he has class but he's still a bit green and should be given enough time to realise his full potential. We are taking it one race at a time and come next year, we'll see where it takes us," Hamilton said.
Earlier in the afternoon, ZULU PRINCESS (1-2 favourite) ran through a furlong out to win the day's secondary feature for the Pringle Cup (overnight allowance) at 1100 metres. Installed a 1-2 favourite with returning champion jockey Trevor Simpson (his 99th winner of the season) riding for champion trainer Wayne DaCosta, the 4-y-o filly won by 2 1/2 lengths from the 4-5 second favourite MILLENIUM PRINCESS who was outsprinted by GOINGTOKANSASCITY in the backstretch.
TWO WINNERS
Three jockeys notched two winners each on the 11-race programme. They were Griffiths (Distinctly Irish, Stereofabulous), in-form apprentice Phillip Clunis (King's Highway, Sir Abbas Mangal) and two-time champion Joe Buchanan who emerged from a long, dry spell to win aboard DIXIE MILANO and CASTAGNA, both coming with late runs.
Feanny and Howard Phillipps saddled two winners each, on a day when the front running INCORPORATE (18-1), BLUE CANTREL (16-1) and the grey CASTAGNA (6-1) provided the upsets.
