The Lewin Godding-owned filly, Nekitta, comfortably won the first?jewel of the Barbados Triple Crown – the 63rd Barbados Guineas – and is now the only horse that can take the three classics this year.
Credit for this performance must go to trainer Victor Cheeseman for getting Nekitta back into winner’s enclosure so swiftly as well as into the race in good condition against the background that she was not eating as he would have liked.
Jockey Antonio Whitehall executed a flawless ride and the manner of the victory certainly suggested that the best is yet to come.
One can therefore expect improvement in her conditioning and performances in the remaining two jewels – the Midsummer Creole Classic and the Derby at distances of 1 800 and 2 000 metres respectively which both seem well within her grasp.
Vanity Affair ran a game race but could have benefited from more enterprising tactics. For the first time ever, she sat off the pace and was then asked to catch the winner.
Sweet Bottom Sarah found the early speed more than she could handle but her jockey was content to sit close to the rail and save ground which proved correct as she gradually gained position before rallying to take third place.
The Price Is Right disputed the lead from the gates eventually settling in second position before taking over the lead at the four-furlong marker. She however came under pressure at the quarter mark but was still good enough to secure fourth position.
Janak’s Gold started slowly, tried to make a move at the top of the hill but found himself trying to manoeuvre between tired horses at the quarter pole. He was left with too much to do after racing widest of all and failed to find a place.
Stratford’s Lad got off to a good start where he found a nice position off the leading duo. It was however noticeable that he was pushed along three furlongs out before he faded.
Cavanak raced with the back markers and never got in a blow during any part of the race. At the start Flying South jostled with the back markers for a position, he became cramped for room along the backstretch where his chances subsided as the pressure was switched on.
Surprisingly, High Tide was always in the back group and never fired, finishing down the field. Gold Mine ran well for a long time tracking the leaders in the middle of the course but faded when the heat was turned on.
Iguazu never got in a shot and raced primarily as one of the back markers. Snow White’s attempt of a repeat win from the front only lasted four furlongs. Up in class her effort was galvanized by the heavy roller three furlongs out and she swiftly resorted to the reverse gear to finish at the back.
