Calculus scores big upset
Published:Sunday | July 4, 2021 | 12:13 AMAinsley Walters - Sunday Gleaner Writer
A CHANGE of barn, following two dismal performances in the Kingston and 2000 Guineas, was the tonic CALCULUS needed to upset his former stablemate, FURTHER AND BEYOND in yesterday’s Jamaica St Leger, underlining the difference a month can make under new management.
Moved from Anthony Nunes to Gary Subratie by Trinidadian owner, Chevan Maharaj, after the June 5 Guineas, CALCULUS delivered on the promise he had shown when finishing fifth in December’s Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes, turning the tables on the winner and runner-up, FURTHER AND BEYOND and SHE’S A WONDER, beating them into second and third, respectively, in the 10-furlong St Leger.
MINIATURE MAN, the 2000 Guineas winner and 4-5 favourite, threw in the towel from three furlongs out, strangely asked to dispute the lead from the off, and was left standing by FURTHER AND BEYOND and rail-running CALCULUS when the pace quickened a half-mile out.
FURTHER AND BEYOND, who had finished a disappointing third in the 2000 Guineas behind MINIATURE MAN and NUCLEAR NOON, tried shaking loose of CALCULUS, but the far-striding Sensational Slam-Trinket Box colt was always travelling better and easily outstayed his mile-at-best rival.
SHE’S A WONDER proved her class, sitting off the lead with her customary visor removed, before moving three furlongs out to go by a winded MINIATURE MAN. The 1000 Guineas heroine held third position in the stretch run, finishing a length and a quarter off FURTHER AND BEYOND, who was almost seven behind CALCULUS.
Gary Subratie’s training feat was his first victory in a route classic, having won the 1000 and 2000 Guineas in previous years.
Multiple classic-winning jockey, Shane Ellis, who had partnered Maharaj’s SUPREME SOUL to Triple Crown victory in 2019, enjoyed an armchair ride along the rail before making his bid at the half-mile marker.
CALCULUS clocked a decent 2:08.1, his winning margin and dominance establishing him as a top-two contender for August’s Jamaica Derby at 12 furlongs, joining Ian Parsard’s BIG JULE, who impressed with a runaway victory at nine furlongs and 25 yards on June 21.