Puddy Pooh romps 1000 Guineas

The unbeaten PUDDY POOH turned in another scintillating performance at Caymanas Park yesterday to win the season's first classic, the Post To Post Jamaica 1000 Guineas for native bred three-year-old fillies over 1600 metres, covering the distance in the good time of 1:39.0 in muddy conditions.

Installed a 2-1 favourite with customary jockey Omar Walker riding for owner, trainer and breeder Richard Azan, the bay filly by Adore The Gold out of the Law Of The Sea mare Lady Shahar, outfinished long-time MOM'S STUDENT (10-1) approaching the distance to beat her by five lengths in a field of 14.

Both dominated the race from a long way out, the Fitzroy Glispie-trained MOM'S STUDENT assuming an early lead and PUDDY POOH going in serious chase approaching the half mile.

straight fight

Both swung into the straight virtually heads on and having pulled clear of the others, the stage was set for a straight fight. Responding to a strong ride from Walker, however, PUDDY POOH gained the ascendancy on the outside approaching the distance and with Walker vigorously applying the right hand stick, raced to her third win from as many starts, behind splits of 23.3, 46.0 and a fast 1:10.4 for the first six furlongs. Finishing third, another five lengths away, was 5-2 second favourite BERRANCA, who failed to go the early pace in the slush with champion jockey Dane Nelson aboard.

Azan, who has done well in the classics over the years winning three 2000 Guineas with COLTRANE and RAMAGE in 2005, 2006 and the Triple Crown winner MARK MY WORD in 2010, finally won his first 1000 Guineas winner and was elated.

"She's a talented filly and I knew she had the credentials to give me my first fillies Guineas win," said the trainer. "We made the wise decision to bypass the Thornbird Stakes (Guineas Trial won by Berranca) ) and having worked well coming into this race, I was confident she would deliver," he added.

"She has shown she stays and will now be prepared for the Oaks over ten furlongs on April 25", disclosed Azan.

3-5 favourite

Earlier in the afternoon, the super-fit American five-year-old gelding FORTUNEONEHUNDRED (9-5) defied topweight of 57.0kg to win the open allowance race over the round five course by 2-1/2 lengths from TRADITIONAL PRINCE (2-1) and the 3-5 favourite TALENTED TONY K, who led a a fast clip until collared by FORTUNEONEHUNDRED a furlong out in a field of seven.

On a day when the stewards disqualified fifth race winner LADY SHANKARI (5-2) for intimidatory riding by Shane Ellis in the last furlong, many-time Canadian champion jockey, Barbados-born Patrick Husbands, failed to ride a winner from six rides on the card, losing the seventh race aboard CHANGE HIM NAME by a short head to 7-1 chance BELIEVE.

The 41-year-old jockey, who is the younger brother of Simon Husbands who rode here for many years in the 1980s and 90s, will ride on tomorrow's 2000 Guineas programme as well before returning to Canada for the start of the new season at Woodbine in Toronto.