Ainsley Walters, Freelance Writer

Trevor 'Slicer' Simpson produces the Philip Feanny-trained RUM TALK with a brilliant ride on the rails to win by a short head over MUCHO GUSTO (N0. 5) with Brian Harding aboard, and win the 1600 metres Supreme Ventures Jamaica 2-y-o Stakes, feature race at Caymanas Park, yesterday. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

FORMER champion trainer Philip Feanny yesterday reminded all and sundry he's still a master at his craft, saddling three winners on the big Boxing Day card including RUM TALK and DISTINCTLY IRISH, winners of the Supreme Ventures Limited Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes and Harry Jackson Memorial co-features respectively.

Shouldering topweight 60.5 kilos for the first time in his career, five-year-old DISTINCTLY IRISH - the 3-5 favourite - pulled veteran jockey Winston Griffiths to the lead a half-mile out in the 12-furlong Harry Jackson Memorial and easily turned back the challenge of three-year-old ALLIEDFORCE to win by eight and a half-lengths. ALLIEDFORCE only carried 53.0 kilos with apprentice Andre Martin.

RUM TALK, however, was a different affair as the unbeaten colt came with a storming last-furlong run under Trevor Simpson to grab the 8-5 favourite MUCHO GUSTO stealing home at the wire with champion jockey Brian Harding.

Administered lasix for the first time, 5-1 shot RUM TALK was outsped down the backstretch as a quartet of runners - MUCHO GUSTO, RUN ALDEENO, MARK TO MARKET and ALNASKRA - dissected the field and thundered into the lane almost abreast after six furlongs in the one-mile race offering a purse of $3 million.

With a furlong to run, it appeared as if Harding was well on his way to victory aboard Anthony Nunes-trained MUCHO GUSTO but RUM TALK hit top gear and closed fast into fifth position after straightening seventh.

Midway the last half-furlong, RUM TALK took dead aim at a tiring MUCHO GUSTO and pulled within a half-length before another huge stride had his head in front shades from the winning post as Harding tried everything to keep his mount going.

Even though the pair flashed past the post almost glued together, it was clear that RUM TALK had won by the bob of a head, which the photo-finish camera officially declared as a short head with a final time of 1:41.1 for the distance.

It was the first time the bay colt was competing in excess of five and a half-furlongs in only his third start. He has clearly established himself as the winter book favourite for next season's three-year-old Classics.

Feanny's other winner on the marathon 12- race card was the two-year-old filly SO BLESSED, ridden by Allen Maragh. She is a half-sister to two-time Superstakes, 2006 Confraternity Classic winner and Horse of the Year, MIRACLE MAN.

Veteran jockey Ian 'Dolly Baby' Spence upstaged a star-studded cast of riders, including Confraternity Classic-winning Cecilio Penalba, Harding, Andrew Ramgeet and Emilio Rodriquez by booting home a longshot double - EASTERN LIGHT at 21-1 in the sixth event at 1000 metres straight and 6-1 shot SHIVOYNE in the 10th at 1300 metres.

The visiting Penalba, who partnered MIRACLE MAN in his historic December 9 victory in Puerto Rico, opened the card with 1-2 favourite NASATOL for trainer Robert Darby Sr. and Ramgeet landed the 100-metre straight ninth race with 6-1 outsider UNKNOWN VARIABLE for trainer Gary Subratie.

Harding remained a safe eight wins clear of Wesley Henry in the jockeys' table. Henry's lone winner on the penultimate day of the racing season was BEAT THE DRUM for trainer Percy Hussey in the eighth event at 1400 metres.