Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
RAMPAGE (Charles Hussey) passing the post nine lengths clear of rivals to win the Supreme Ventures Jamaica 2-Y-O Stakes over 1600 metres at Caymanas Park on December 27 last year. - FILE
TODAY'S WELL supported Caymanas Park 11-race programme features the Thorn-bird Stakes for native-bred three-year-old fillies and the Prince Consort Stakes for three-year-old colts and geldings, both over 1400 metres.
Offering purse of $675,000, the two graded stakes represent the final prep races for the upcoming 1000 and 2000 Guineas classics on April 1.With this in mind, both should provide strong pointers to what to expect that day.
RAMPAGE and KYSHA BABY, to date the top contenders for the 2000 and 1000 Guineas respectively, both face the starter today and could cement their claim for the real thing in three weeks time.
Significantly, the Gary Subratie-trained KYSHA BABY will be ridden by U.S.-based four-time Jamaican champion jockey Emilio 'Bimbo' Rodriquez, who arrived in the island on Thursday evening. The 51-year-old jockey rides locally for the first time in just over six years.
RAMPAGE, on the other hand, has the services of joint leading jockey Charles Hussey, who piloted him to victory in the Supreme Ventures Jamaica 2-Y-0 Stakes over 1600 metres last Boxing Day.
RUNAWAY VICTORY
As a result of that fast-time runaway victory in the 2-Y-O Stakes, RAMPAGE was unanimously voted the Champion 2-Y-O of last season. And judging from his glowing exercise reports, this free-running bay colt by Pat N Jac out of Arantxa should take up where he left off in December.
Owned and trained by Richard Azan, RAMPAGE turned heads at exercise last Monday morning when galloping six furlongs in 1.13.2, the last five in 1:00.1.
Prior to that he breezed 58.2 (behind 45.4) from the gate on February 28 and with his preparation complete, it will take a brave punter to oppose him even with top weight of 57kg.
Looking at his 10 opponents, MINISTER OF FIRE, THE SMOKER and SUPER NATURAL should ensure worthwhile opposition, especially the Philip Feanny-trained MINISTER ON FIRE who was second to RAMPAGE last Boxing Day with KYSHA BABY third.
IMPRESSIVE
Having looked improved at exercise, MINISTER ON FIRE, now 3kg better off at the weights, could ensure that RAMPAGE is extended, having looked improved in his preparation.
Eight fillies are down to contest the Thornbird Stakes and while the credentials of top weight KYSHA BABY are not as impressive as RAMPAGE, she too is the one to beat if her facile win over SWING BY in the recent Hot Line Stakes over 1200 metres is anything to go by.
KYSHA BABY will relish the additional furlong of today's race and having looked the part at exercise, should prove equal to the task. SWING BY and MYLEGACY are twin dangers in the eight strong field.
Other firm fancies in the card are ANOTHER RANKING with Rodriquez up in the first race, unbeaten DOUBLE BOW to upstage SPANISH FLEET in the fourth, HEAVENLY DREAMS in the eighth and MEDICAL REPORT to resume winning ways at the expense of PEACE & LOVE and ROYAL COMMAND in the closing race for the Wayne DaCosta Trophy to be contested by 15 overnight allowance horses.
