By Orville Clarke, Freelance WriterSEVEN top class horses are down to contest the $1 million Digicel Irish Jamaican Stakes over 1300 metres at Caymanas Park today and what a race it promises to be.
The feature sets the stage for the big rematch between speed merchants A KING IS BORN, the reigning 'Horse of the Year', and the crack American sprinter LIL'COUNTRY BOY.
When both horses met for the first time in the She's On Wheels Trophy over 1100 metres on July 24, A KING IS BORN made all impressively in winning by 4-3/4
lengths from COURT CASE, covering the distance in the smart time of 1:04.2 behind lightning splits of 22.1 and 44.4.
This was in fact the fastest time recorded for the distance since the track was resurfaced in 1998.
HOTLY CONTESTED AFFAIR
It promises to be another hotly contested affair between the two superstars, especially with LIL' COUNTRY BOY renewing rivalry on 4.0kg better terms. The Wayne DaCosta trained 4-y-o gelding shoulders topweight of 58.0kg and now has a new rider in Shane Elis, replacing champion jockey Trevor Simpson, who instead will partner the late kicking ROYAL RUN who is also trained by DaCosta.
A KING IS BORN, who won this race in stakes record time of 1:16.1 last year, moves from 54.0 to 57.0kg with leading all-time jockey Winston Griffiths riding for champion trainer Philip Feanny and popular owner Howard Hamilton once again.
In the She's On Wheels Trophy, LIL'COUNTRY BOY chased his arch-rival relentlessly in the backstretch before fading in mid-stretch to finish fourth, beaten nine lengths after being eased by Simpson in the last 100 metres.
FAST TIMES
Prior to that 'COUNTRY BOY' had been returning fast times (and splits) in winning four consecutive races, the most recent the Eileen Cliggott Trophy over this trip on June 26 when leading home one-time 'Horse of the Year' I'MSATISFIED, who has won both of his subsequent races.
With Saturday's trip not as sharp and the two principals fit and rearing to go, the speed duel is worth going miles to see, what with both horses sitting so close to each other in the handicaps on this occasion.
LIL' COUNTRY BOY has been moving like a well-oiled machine at exercise in preparation for today's encounter. The son of Dilligence-Lil' Country Gal galloped 5-1/2 furlongs in an eye-popping 1:05.4 by 59.2 last Sunday morning and to say he is sharp as a razor would be an understatement.
A KING IS BORN was no less impressive, galloping five furlongs in a fantastic 58.2 on Tuesday morning and is coming to set the track alight again.
Completing the seven-strong field are I'MSATISFIED (Charles Hussey), ROYAL RUN, HERECOMESFUDGIE, COURT CASE and JACK DE PRINCE.
Of the lot, the Feanny-trained I'MSATISFIED should prove a worthy opponent in a bid to win his third consecutive race. If the two principals burn themselves out in a speed duel, this illustrious seven-year-old gelding will be right there to capitalise in the closing stages.
Bearing in mind the distance and the fact that he's sound as a bell since sidelined for months by a stone squeeze late last year, A KING IS BORN looks the one to beat. Even if he is outsped by 'COUNTRY BOY' in the backstretch, he has the ability to overhaul him up the lane and is one to follow.
I also like the impressive KAMIR to lead home ALL FOR PLEASURE in the Digicel Cup over 1200 metres for native bred two-year-olds, SAINT COLUMBA in the 2nd race, WARREN B in the 5th, PEACE & LOVE to stave off CAPTAIN BONE in the 7th and THE SEVENTH WAVE to upstage stable-companion PLEASANT WOOD and THE SANDMAN in the 9th.
