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Massive payout in Reggae 6
June 09, 2025
HORSES turning tables on rivals, some after wayward performances, forced a $465,161 payout on yesterday's Reggae 6, dwarfing Saturday's $53,281, but leaving a bitter taste in form-players' mouths.
Bar SENSATIONAL GIFT, who could be forgiven in the third after Raddesh Roman was almost unseated down the backstretch, allowing 8-1 outsider SECRET MISSION to steal the event, reversal of form by KISSMET (6-1), LET HIM FLY (4-1) and COSMIC FORCE (5-1) was simply too much to bear by punters banking favourites on the penny.
After KISSMET flung bets aside in the opening event, United States-bred TITAN TEMPO brought temporary relief. However, SECRET MISSION, LET HIM FLY and COSMIC FORCE set the cat among the pigeons.
BENEISON, the only other winning favourite on the Reggae 6, was comfort to a few, a decent payout for deep-pocketed bettors, who are able to carry multiple selections in most races.
Meanwhile, SENSATIONAL SOUL split LOCKDOWN and I DREAM AGAIN a furlong and a half out before running down escapee BOB THE BUILDER to score a three-quarter length win in the 2000 Guineas, handing Trinidadian owner Chevan Maharaj a sixth classic win in six years.
Maharaj, who enjoyed tremendous classic success in 2019-2020 with Supreme Soul, 2019 Triple Crown winner, and Calculus, 2020 St Leger and Jamaica Derby champion, watched SENSATIONAL SOUL set a July 5 St Leger date with BURNING HEDGE, the filly who won Saturday's 1000 Guineas in a much faster time than the colts.
BURNING HEDGE, crowned last year's champion two-year-old after beating colts and geldings in the Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes at a mile, clocked 1:41.3 in the 1000 Guineas, 1.1 seconds faster than SENSATIONAL SOUL's charge, which took him past BOB THE BUILDER close home.
A full brother to Toona Ciliata (Soul Warrior-Red Gold), who lost the 2019 Guineas and St Leger to Triple Crown-winning stablemate, Supreme Soul, SENSATIONAL SOUL showed grit to bully his way past rivals from off the rail midway the straight.
Set down to chase BOB THE BUILDER stealing home with leading rider and defending champion, Raddesh Roman, SENSATIONAL SOUL responded willingly to Shane Elllis' urgings for victory, suggesting no colt should beat him in July's 10-furlong St Leger, more so August's Jamaica Derby at 12 furlongs.
However, BURNING HEDGE's 1000 Guineas performance, a five and three-quarter length win, has booked a Battle of the Sexes for the remaining two classics on the route course.
