Uncle Ken pips 'Fatty'

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Running on strongly midway through the last furlong, UNCLE KEN got up in the nick of time to deny the 7-5 favourite FATTY BUM BUM by a neck in the $3.6 million Pick-3 Super Challenge Trophy over 1400 metres at Caymanas Park yesterday, the second leg of the Supreme Ventures 2-Y-O Series of three which concludes on Boxing Day.

Having romped the first race in the series, the $2.95 million Cash Pot Only One For Me Trophy over 1200 metres on October 16, the Wayne DaCosta-trained filly FATTY BUM BUM with champion jockey Omar Walker again in the saddle was installed a firm favourite in a field of 10 native bred two-year-olds, ahead of TRADITIONAL PRINCE at 2-1 under leading all-time jockey Winston Griffiths.

After looking all over the winner when two lengths clear leaving the furlong pole, FATTY BUM BUM was caught close home by the flying UNCLE KEN, but she was brave in defeat. This means there will be no winner of the million-dollar bonus offered by Supreme Ventures Limited to the owner of the horse good enough to win all three races in the series.

Ridden by Shane Ellis for trainer Gary Subratie and popular owner Kenval Wallace, UNCLE KEN running at odds of 7-2, was outpaced for most of the way as ELECTRIFYING (9-1), with in-form female apprentice Georgina Sergeon, led by three lengths from FATTY BUM BUM, BLENDER, THE MESSENGER and TRADITIONAL PRINCE.

Although suffering slight interference leaving the half mile and dropping back a bit, FATTY BUM BUM soon regained her composure to grab the lead from BLENDER (30-1) early in the straight, before UNCLE KEN emerged from out of the clouds to catch her within shades of the wire.

ISNT SHE SOMETHIN (9-1), ridden by Richie Mitchell for 14-time champion trainer Philip Feanny, closed strongly along the rails to finish less than a length away third. The unbeaten JUSTIN ON FIRE, who suffered a stone squeeze, was declared a late non-starter.

Fast early pace

Ellis said UNCLE KEN was run off his legs by the fast early pace, but in the end this worked out to his advantage.

"I decided to ride a patient race. So I bided my time in about eighth position passing the half mile and when I asked him for his winning effort from early in the straight, he exploded in deep stretch", said the 2000 champion jockey.

A bay gelding by Alajwad out of Kathythetraina. UNCLE KEN was bred by Trevor James at the Success Farm in Mountainside, St Elizabeth. He has now won twice from five starts.