Fayrouz outstays Oaks field
FAYROUZ NOT only revelled in trainer Anthony Nunes’s decision to refit the visor, but also exposed the stamina limitations of her peers by romping to a seven-length win in yesterday’s 10-furlong Jamaica Oaks, running away from long-time leader HONEY RYDA, a furlong and a half out.
Disappointing runs in March’s Thornbird Stakes and the 1000 Guineas three weeks ago, both won by DISABILITY CHARM, prompted Nunes to return to the drawing board for the Oaks, refitting FAYROUZ with the visor in which she had won her first race last December.
Partnered by Linton Steadman, her third consecutive rider, 9-2 chance FAYROUZ raced in mid-pack from the start, well off the pace being set by Shane Ellis astride HONEY RYDA, pressed relentlessly by MY SISTER with Robert Halledeen.
DISABILITY CHARM, the 4-5 favourite with Dick Cardenas, swerved to her right from the wide draw at post-position 10 and was pushed even wider at the clubhouse turn when attempting to jostle for a position at the first bend.
The Guineas winner’s race was practically over from that point, pushed by Cardenas to keep pace down the backstretch, while HONEY RYDA and MY SISTER opened up a five-length lead leaving the half-mile marker.
HONEY RYDA shook loose of MY SISTER three furlongs out and straightened with a two-length lead but was soon pounced on by FAYROUZ, who made a darting move along the rail three furlongs out, going past BAND OF GOLD and FREE MARIE.
Full of running coming off the home turn, FAYROUZ blew past HONEY RYDA a furlong and a half out and sprinted away for an easy victory with Steadman glancing over his shoulders for non-existent dangers close to the wire.
The chestnut filly turned the tables on the first four past the post in the 1000 Guineas, proving she was the best stayer at 10 furlongs, after finishing fifth at a mile in the season’s first classic.
HONEY RYDA, who was third in the Guineas, finished a clear second, seven and a half lengths ahead of 17-1 outsider FREE MARIE, who improved on her fourth-place run from three weeks ago, outfinishing Guineas runner-up LICI’S PEPSI to snatch third place.
The race was run in a relatively slow 2:09.3, casting serious doubts on the fillies’ chances against colts and geldings in June’s 12-furlong Jamaica Derby.
BILINGUAL in the fifth event was the first of two winners on the 11-race card for Nunes, increasing his stakes lead over defending champion Wayne DaCosta, who also had a double but lost ground to his rival, who grabbed the $1.62 million winners’ share of the $3 million Oaks purse.
DaCosta was first out of the blocks with MR UNIVERSE in the opening event and returned to land the sixth with two-time Diamond Mile winner SEEKING MY DREAM, who signalled his return to form with an eight-length win at 1500 metres.
Michael Marlowe also posted two winners, PEGGY’S VISION in the ninth and brought the curtains down with LEEKOUT, providing jockey Prince Holder with a rare win.
Wesley Henry was the only jockey to visit the winners’ enclosure more than once, booting home BILINGUAL and DEAL MARKER in the seventh.