Classy Thalita to capture Jamaica Derby

THALITA’s St Leger victory, a roaring five-length win ahead of MONEY MISER, after stalking a cracking pace set by stablemate MAMMA MIA and PRINCESS SHARON, makes the Soul Warrior-Luminous Trieste filly a tough act to follow at 12 furlongs in Monday’s Jamaica Derby.

Reporting under conditions similar to the St Leger, THALITA’s five-pound sex allowance and turn of foot in the stretch run, plus unquestionable stamina, create a deadly cocktail of class, making her hard to beat at a mile and a half.

Derailed in her Triple Crown bid by stablemate MAMMA MIA, who staged a fantastic rally on the lead a furlong out in the 1000 Guineas, THALITA rebounded with a St Leger victory replicating her Portmore Stakes run at seven and a half furlongs.

Whereas THALITA is obviously a champion among the girls, questions signs hover above the well-being of last year’s top two-year-old, MOJITO, whose bid to win a sixth straight race came to a screeching halt in the St Leger after romping the Kingston and 2000 Guineas.

Since finishing last in the St Leger as the 1-5 favourite, MOJITO has not had a speed gallop, instead trotting in the mornings while being ponied, not exactly the ideal preparation for a mile-and-a-half race requiring speed and stamina.

MOJITO’s bizarre run in the St Leger, finding nil a half-mile out after being hemmed in passing the stands and on the far side, coupled with reports of him having to be doused with water after what appeared to have been an easy 2000 Guineas victory, now not raising a hair at exercise in the mornings, make him too suspect to back with any degree of confidence.

MONEY MISER, who finished five lengths behind THALITA in the St Leger, could very well be the colt, who has trained on best. After THALITA made her move a half-mile out, going in chase of MAMMA MIA and PRINCESS SHARON, MONEY MISER quickened to split MOJITO and HUNTSMAN leaving the three-furlong pole.

Straightening almost on THALITA’s flank in fourth, MONEY MISER momentarily appeared a major threat. However, THALITA quickly changed gears to dash past PRINCESS SHARON, afterwards responding briskly to two sharp strikes of the whip to run away from rivals.

HUNTSMAN, ABILITY, STRIKE SMART and possibly MOJITO will try setting a colts’ pace. However, THALITA’s St Leger run proved that there is no pace that can leave her too far behind to outstay the field.