Linguist the only competition for unlucky Don Kwesi

DON KWESI gets favourable company in Saturday’s Linval McFarlane after being beaten by overnight-allowance winners in consecutive races. Claiming rider Demar Williams replacing Dane Dawkins also gives the four-year-old colt a five-pound allowance at the scale, reporting at 121lb for the six-and-a-half-furlong event.

Showing improved form at the back end of last season with four wins in six starts, DON KWESI tried stealing a march on United States-bred WALL STREET TRADER when making his 2026 debut with 109lb at six and a half furlongs in the February 18 Ash Wednesday Trophy.

However, the middle-distance specialist was forced off the bridle by SMART TRICK before tearing away in splits of 34.2, 47.0 and 59.4. The pace took its toll and WALL STREET TRADER caught up with DON KWESI a furlong out in 1:13.1 before going on to clock 1:20.0.

Having no answer for the grade-two winner’s surge, DON KWESI was further relegated third by super-fit OIL MACHINE closing from off the pace.

Returning two and a half weeks later, still among overnight-allowance winners, DON KWESI, who had never won an overnight, was slapped with 126lb, two pounds heavier than NEO STAR, who had beaten the level from March 23 and had run grade-one winner BARNABY to a half-length on February 8.

Already a course specialist, NEO STAR, made even lighter by Tajay Suckoo’s five-pound claim, stalked and overpowered DON KWESI a furlong out, beating the brave four-year-old by two and a quarter lengths in a strong 1:58.0 at nine furlongs and 25 yards.

Facing non-winners of an overnight allowance, DON KWESI is practically down in class, with possibly last year’s Oaks winner, LINGUIUST, being his main threat, returning from a well-deserved, four-month break after a hectic three-year-old season.

However, LINGUIST won her ticket to overnight allowance on a disqualification, FRED THE MASTER’s number taken down on Mouttet Mile Day, last December, for multiple interference to NUCLEAR JET.

FRED THE MASTER returned as a howling favourite to floor DON KWESI on December 27, but was no match for the local-bred at seven and a half furlongs.

Despite LINGUIST’s classic pedigree, she appeared a bit jaded at the back end of the season and could need the run against DON KWESI, who galloped 1:00.2 on the round course two Sundays past.