Mon | Apr 29, 2024

Fast-starting speedsters to give Duke big test

Published:Thursday | January 12, 2023 | 1:12 AMAinsley Walters/Gleaner Writer
DUKE, ridden by Robert Halledeen, wins Cash Pot ‘Super Dash’ Trophy for three-year-olds and upwards Open Allowance Stakes over six furlongs at Caymanas Park on Saturday, October 29, 2022.
Anthony Minott
DUKE, ridden by Robert Halledeen, wins Cash Pot ‘Super Dash’ Trophy for three-year-olds and upwards Open Allowance Stakes over six furlongs at Caymanas Park on Saturday, October 29, 2022.

DUKE and GOD OF LOVE crossed paths so many times last season it’s hard to compile a tale of the tape detailing the battle-hardened pair of seven-year-olds’ numerous showdowns, which continue in Saturday’s St Catherine Cup at six furlongs.

Add to the mix United States-bred I’VE GOT MAGIC, whose versatility landed him the Ahwhofah Sprint at six furlongs on December 11, an easy three-length victory against overnight allowance runners. I’VE GOT MAGIC warmed up for the St Catherine Cup on December 31 by leading MAHOGANY to the top of the lane, cracking a half-mile split of 46.2 and six furlongs in 1:10.4.

The St Catherine Cup, as in most sprints, will be decided at the gate. GOD OF LOVE appears done in by the weight, 124lb, 10lb heavier than his December 10 win at the distance, 1:13.2, beating topweight DUKE by four and a quarter lengths into third place.

GOD OF LOVE’s December 10 win was a mixture of raw speed and a light impost, which allowed him to brush MADELYN’S SUNSHINE off the lead at the top of the lane and kick for home, leaving EAGLE ONE in his wake in the stretch run.

DUKE got an atrocious start that afternoon with the big weight, tailed off with Anthony Thomas in the six-horse field. The grey’s fate was already written before the three-pole, rushed off his legs to chase splits of 22.4, 34.3 and 46.4 turning for home.

Run a line through DUKE’s performance that day and focus instead on his subsequent race, a decent second behind much-improved SHE’S MY DESTINY at five and a half furlongs, staying on strongly behind a fast-run 1:04.4, emerging with 1:05.3 or his effort.

It should be noted that GOD OF LOVE, faced with matching speed and burdened with 123lb against SHE’S MY DESTINY that afternoon, faded into third when DUKE came calling inside the final furlong to secure second.

GOD OF LOVE will naturally be out front, trying to run rivals off their legs. However, whereas he was in receipt of four pounds when he last met speedy MADELYN’S SUNSHINE, the scale has swung 10lb in the foreigner’s favour with her now getting six pounds from GOD OF LOVE.

MADELYN’S SUNSHINE appeared to have underperformed when beaten by GOD OF LOVE’s 1:13.2 after clocking 1:12.1 when caught by EXCESSIVE FORCE a month earlier. EXCESSIVE FORCE came out of that race to win the Mouttet Mile whereas MADELYN’S SUNSHINE appeared to have been well below her best against GOD OF LOVE.

At the handicaps, the St Catherine Cup appears teed up for DUKE but, if he waltzes out of the gate, I’VE GOT MAGIC could get first jump on the speedsters.