Thu | Nov 14, 2024

Mack And Rome perfectly fitted for Trainers’ Association trophy

Published:Thursday | November 14, 2024 | 12:09 AMAinsley Walters/Gleaner Writer
MACK AND ROME, ridden by Matthew Bennett, wins the Terremoto Trophy over nine-and-half furlongs at Caymanas Park on July 20.
Anthony Minott
MACK AND ROME, ridden by Matthew Bennett, wins the Terremoto Trophy over nine-and-half furlongs at Caymanas Park on July 20.

MACK AND ROME confirmed his status as a circular-nine specialist last time out, winning his third race on the course by wiring imported rivals, and locals alike, to score a mild 5-1 upset on October 20.

In a decent show of sustained pace, MACK AND ROME ran the field off its legs to post a decent 1:56.1, a vastly improved performance second time out in blinkers, suggesting that trainer Saqlain Roman might have found a sweet spot for the Bold Conquest-Gold Miner colt to return in Saturday’s United Racehorse Trainers’ Association Trophy.

Despite facing CAPTAIN SPARROW, who had beaten him out of sight when finishing a close third in the 12-furlong Jamaica Derby, MACK AND ROME could be the epitome of the proverbial ‘horses for courses’.

It is no coincidence that MACK AND ROME’s three wins from 10 starts were all on the circular-nine course, races in which he was able to dictate the pace and show spunk in the stretch run.

CAPTAIN SPARROW won his second race on the circular-nine course before stamina carried him into second in the marathon Jamaica Derby. After getting a month off to recuperate, CAPTAIN SPARROW had no wind in his sail, finishing almost a distant seventh in the Winston Griffiths Classic.

Having won only two races, CAPTAIN SPARROW is technically up in class against a speedy rival with three wins at the trip under his girth. MACK AND ROME’s speed is likely to leave CAPTAIN SPARROW flat-footed and running out of character too early down the backstretch.

The horse most likely to upset MACK AND ROME’s plans appears to be United States-bred SHEER DELIGHT, a horse imported for next month’s Mouttet Mile. In two starts, SHEER DELIGHT has shown signs of staying ability, closing well on debut to get within a length and a half of RAINSVILLE collaring derby runner-up RUN JULIE RUN at a mile.

Though he again finished third two weeks ago, held by fellow importee IMPRESSIVE FORCE and local-bred SUPREMASI at seven and a half furlongs, blinkers and figure-eight being fitted by trainer Donovan Hutchinson could make a huge difference for his third start.