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Blue Vinyl to finally get a break

Published:Thursday | December 15, 2022 | 1:26 AMAinsley Walters/Gleaner Writer
BLUE VINYL, ridden by Raddesh Roman, wins the Jamaica 2000 Guineas over a mile, a three-year-old Furity (Colts and Geldings) Stakes at Caymanas Park on Sunday, June 5, 2022.
Anthony Minott/Freelance Photographer
BLUE VINYL, ridden by Raddesh Roman, wins the Jamaica 2000 Guineas over a mile, a three-year-old Furity (Colts and Geldings) Stakes at Caymanas Park on Sunday, June 5, 2022.

ST LEGER winner BLUE VINYL races for the fourth time in five weeks this Saturday, his easiest of the lot, a second crack at overnight allowance after being outclassed by United States-bred I’VE GOT MAGIC in last Sunday’s Ahwhofah Sprint at six furlongs.

As genuine as they come, BLUE VINYL has not had a genuine shot at winning since completing a hat-trick of victories by surprising ATOMICA in the St Leger, a loss she immediately avenged with aplomb in the Jamaica Derby a month later.

BLUE VINYL’s class woes were exposed in subsequent run-ins with DUKE at six furlongs, ATOMICA in the Jamaica Cup and soon-to-be Mouttet Mile winner, EXCESSIVE FORCE, in the Port Royal Sprint.

However, BLUE VINYL ran creditable races against superior rivals and at distances outside his comfort zone, including last Sunday’s attempt to slip I’VE GOT MAGIC at six furlongs.

Reporting in blinkers and a game plan to steal a march on I’VE GOT MAGIC, joint topweight BLUE VINYL led for the first five furlongs but was no match when the foreigner came calling. I’VE GOT MAGIC, who has chased and beaten the likes of RUNAWAY ALGO, was fresh out of the Mouttet Mile in which he was never worse than fourth down the backstretch behind the country’s top sprinters.

BLUE VINYL’s performance against I’VE GOT MAGIC confirmed his versatility after his Jamaica Cup and Mouttet Mile runs. In the Jamaica Cup, BLUE VINYL attempted to match strides for the nine-and-a-half trip with ATOMICA, coming off the home turn four and a half lengths behind the filly.

In the Mouttet Mile, killer splits set by MAHOGANY, RUNAWAY ALGO, SHE’S MY DESTINY and ATOMICA ensured BLUE VINYL was kept at a safe distance. However, he stayed on in the final two furlongs to finish five and a half lengths away in eighth place behind EXCESSIVE FORCE.

Returning with joint topweight after Sunday’s loss to I’VE GOT MAGIC, BLUE VINYL represents Mouttet Mile form and should not be opposed. Shane Ellis is back aboard the chestnut colt in a more relaxed pace, which will suit him even better out the mile chute.