Thu | Jan 2, 2025

Mahogany a cinch in tomorrow’s feature

Published:Friday | August 9, 2024 | 12:13 AMAinsley Walters/Gleaner Writer
MAHOGANY, ridden by Robert Halledeen, wins a three-year-old and upwards open allowance stakes over five furlongs at Caymanas Park on October 28, 2023.
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MAHOGANY, ridden by Robert Halledeen, wins a three-year-old and upwards open allowance stakes over five furlongs at Caymanas Park on October 28, 2023.

RETURNING for Saturday’s Poorlittlerichgirl Trophy at seven furlongs with his customary blinkers refitted, MAHOGANY’s only speed threat should be old rival MADELYN’S SUNSHINE following his decent effort with topweight behind in-form MAMMA MIA in July’s Clovis Metcalfe Trophy.

MAHOGANY gave it his all in the Clovis Metcalfe at seven and a half furlongs, alternating with FUNCAANDUN, in chase of lightweight MAMMA MIA, who made all in cracking splits for a smashing win in 1:30.4.

MAMMA MIA returned 20 days later in the She’s A Maneater with 102lb, running topweight ATOMICA off her legs in 24.0, 34.3, 46.0, 58.2, 1:11.3 and 1:25.0, before giving way to even-lighter stablemate, FUNCAANDUN, proving the Clovis Metcalfe stunner was no fluke.

FUNCAANDUN turning the tables on MAMMA MIA in the She’s A Maneater was no surprise, considering the importee returned 17lb lighter, giving further credence to the Clovis Metcalfe as a marker race.

In fact, MAMMA MIA was even more destructive on the lead in the half-furlong shorter Clovis Metcalfe with fractions of 34.0, 45.2, 57.4 and 1:10.3, dismantling topweight MAHOGANY and FUNCAANDUN, who carried 118lb then.

Though not the speed terror of previous years, seven-year-old MAHOGANY matching three-year-old American FUNCAANDUN for six furlongs of the Clovis Metcalfe, allowing the foreigner weight, suggests he is still a force to reckon with in the top classes.

Though MAHOGANY only managed to beat MADELYN’S SUNSHINE by a length in last November’s Port Royal Sprint, her labouring to a half-length victory against PRESS CONFERENCE in an overnight-allowance last Saturday doesn’t bode well for the American mare, who has found open allowance taxing.

DaCosta tag-team tactics should have MADELYN’S SUNSHINE being ridden to keep MAHOGANY honest for THALITA to pounce. However, THALITA’s first taste of open-allowance pace will be a rude introduction to the four-year-old, who has only run twice in open company since contesting the Jamaica Derby in August of 2023.