Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
Distinctly Irish is driven by five-time champion jockey Winston Griffiths to beat stable companion Herecomesfudgie (Larris Allen), in the Harry Jackson Memorial Cup - the supporting feature - over 2400 metres at Caymanas Park in 2004. - Ian Allen /Staff Photographer
Even with three trophy races slated for today's 10-race programme at Caymanas Park, the focus of attention will surely be on the 1600-metre open allowance race which marks the seasonal debut of the 2004 'Horse of the Year' DISTINCTLY IRISH.
Trained by Philip Feanny, DISTINCTLY IRISH is one of eight starters in a quality field.
It also includes this year's Derby winner RANSOM MAN, who has changed hands since finishing third in the July 1 St. Leger (moving from trainer Eraldo Fullerton to Gary Subratie), the 2003 Superstakes winner PITTACUS, this year's St. Leger winner ALLIEDFORCE, as well as the very fit ROYAL COMMAND who chased home MIRACLE MAN over the distance in the recent L.R. "Bob' Mayall Memorial Trophy; and also AD INFINITUM, a recent winner at the overnight allowance level.
Favourite
Despite racing for the first time since finishing second to MIRACLE MAN in the Superstakes last November, DISTINCTLY IRISH under customary rider Winston 'Fanna' Griffiths will more than likely start favourite.
Owned by Howard Hamilton, the classy five-year-old gelding by Irish Quest out of Distinctly Native represents the class horse of the field and even from the head of the scales (57.0kg), should return with a bang.
DISTINCTLY IRISH (down in class) has been extensively prepared to meet this engagement, doing 'bullet work' after 'bullet work' while going through his paces at exercise.
He galloped six furlongs in an eye-popping 1:12.0 last Wednesday morning and with a mile right up his street, will prove hard to beat, especially from the outside post position.
Fit horses
It won't be a walk in the park for him though, given that there exists a number of fit horses such as ALLIEDFORCE, ROYAL COMMAND and the recent winners UNTOUCHABLE and Brian Harding's mount AD INFINITUM around.
AD INFINITUM, for instance, is not only coming off a recent win, but has worked exceptionally well coming into this race.
All should ensure a competitive race but in the end the class of DISTINCTLY IRISH should prevail as these horses are sitting too close to him in the weights.
Other firm fancies on the card are NIJINSKY'S WAR to catch old rival DON'T STAY NAKED in the second race over 1900 metres, TOOT THE HOOT in the Dewhurst Stakes for native bred two-year-olds (3rd race), FUSILIER to make all in the 5th, CHOO CHOO CHOO to upstage HARMONICS and TWIN STAR in the 8th, race No, 3 in the CTL Claiming Series, and the unbeaten YOSHI over IT'S IN THE GLOVE and RED LION in the closing race for the Dr. Ralston Feanny Memorial Trophy over 1100 metres.
