Good win for ‘Run Thatcher’

RUN THATCHER RUN did just enough to get by on his return to the races yesterday, three weeks ahead of the 2000 Guineas, chasing and collaring nine-year-old speedster, CRUCIAL APPEAL, early in the stretch run, to score a workman-like victory at six furlongs.

Making his first start as a three-year-old, after winning the Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes, second time out on Boxing Day, the chestnut colt was rushed into yesterday’s $1 million optional claiming event, his training stalled by bucked shins.

Though running with signs of the pin-fire procedure still visible, RUN THATCHER RUN was all professional, attacking CRUCIAL APPEAL three furlongs out and led into the lane in a half-mile split of 45.2.

Tapped once by jockey Omar Walker a furlong out, 1-5 favourite RUN THATCHER RUN moved away from the speedster to win under a hand ride, stopping the clock in 1:12.3, dwarfing three other six-furlong races for three-year-olds.

Trainer Wayne DaCosta afterwards confirmed he was “still behind the eight ball” with RUN THATCHER RUN, as opposed to Anthony Nunes’ SUPREME SOUL, who he had beaten in the Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes, but said he will monitor his charge.

“If he comes out of the race alright, he should be okay,” he said, but noted, “he was running against nothing much.”

DaCosta was back in the winners’ enclosure to greet RUN THATCHER RUN’s illustrious half-sister, SHE’S A MANEATER, who predictably chased and beat old rival CHACE THE GREAT at seven and a half furlongs in the five-horse field for the Chairman’s Trophy.

Walker afterwards said SHE’S A MANEATER, making her seasonal debut, was getting fitter after losing her last start on Boxing Day, beaten by Nunes’ BIGDADDYKOOL in the Miracle Man Trophy.

“She is not a hundred per cent but she is getting fitter,” he said.

Racing continues at Caymanas Park on Wednesday.