Dominant Brinks a safe bet for Two-Year-Old Stakes

BRINKS is a safe bet in Monday’s $4 million Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes at a mile after dominating rivals in the seven-furlong Pick 3 Super Challenge a month ago.

Though he doesn’t appear to be a typical route runner, the Bern Identity-Indian Bluff colt is sure to give his peers hell well into the three-year-old classic season next year, certainly up to a mile in the 2000 Guineas.

A speculative 8-5 favourite in the Pick 3 Super Challenge after debuting with a seven-length victory at five-and-a-half furlongs three weeks earlier, BRINKS took on speedy filly PRNCSSHOOTINGSTAR and easily dismissed her to beat late-closing TEKAPUNT by almost three lengths.

Richard Azan’s PERFECT BREW, the 2-1 second choice, placed fifth after being slowly into stride, failing to make any impression on BRINKS. Another Bern Identity offspring (Moonlight Brew), PERFECT BREW returns fitted with a figure eight in which he has worked well, equaling BRINKS at exercise, seven furlongs in 1:28.3.

BRINKS continues to train like a two-year-old champion, putting away four-year-old stablemate DOUBLE CROWN last week Tuesday morning in his seven-furlong spin before trainer Ian Parsard eased off the throttle, returning to post an easy 1:18.3 for six.

An easy colt to handle, BRINKS, now the controlling speed, will again have Omar Walker aboard, going for a third win from as many starts. TEKAPUNT, a half-brother to run-on sprinter LOTTERY TICKET, should close the exacta, having exposed his preference for a longer trip when outstaying the rest of the field in the Pick 3.

EYEING A SWEEP

Parsard is eyeing a sweep of the 11-race Boxing Day card’s two biggest purses, sending his fearsome duo, FATHER PATRICK and SHE’S A WONDER, to post in the $2 million Christopher Armond Sprint at five and a half furlongs.

FATHER PATRICK returned to form with a strong victory at his favourite trip, six furlongs, on December 4, turning the tables on old rival DUKE, who had beaten him in back-to-back races. Parsard’s runner had worked brilliantly for both races but was slowly into stride on each occasion for which DUKE made him pay.

However, last time out FATHER PATRICK was back to his best, breaking sharply with Oshane Nugent to control the race from start to finish, winning in an untouchable 1:11.4. Having picked up three pounds, returning with topweight 126lb, FATHER PATRICK is quick enough to repel all rivals should he get it right at the start.

SHE’S A WONDER is ridiculously light at 101lb. However, she has developed a terrible habit of swerving at the start of her races. It should be noted that Parsard has squeezed every ounce out of the light impost, calling in paperweight claiming rider, Jordan Barrett, making the 1000 Guineas and Oaks winner a real live threat to FATHER PATRICK should she get a good break.