Strong Aveenu turns heads with Monday Morning win

STRONG AVEENU wore down SUPER DAVID yesterday in a battle of TOBA Mixed Sale graduates, landing the seven-furlong Monday Morning Trophy by a length in 1:27.3, adding further intrigue to the 2000 Guineas, which is 15 days away, set for Sunday, June 7, at a mile.

Preseason 2000 Guineas favourite WE JAMMIN’s down-the-track finish in the Kingston, won by STARDOM, closing along the rail to outstay stablemates SALUTE THE DON and GOD’S PLAN, has put pundits in a tailspin ahead of the three-year-old classic for colts and geldings.

STRONG AVEENU’s eye-catching backstretch move, circling rivals to go after SUPER DAVID three furlongs out, had the Aveenu Malcainu-Ruby Rose colt straightening second but wide off the home turn among a cavalry charge, which included rail-running CHARMING CHATTERBOX, DARWIN and TIA MARIA.

Brave SUPER DAVID responded to Phillip Parchment’s bustling ride to quicken away from CHARMING CHATTERBOX on his inside but STRONG AVEENU, as physically imposing as his sire, launched his attack five-wide, pulling level at the furlong pole.

SUPER DAVID rallied but STRONG AVEENU proved better under Dane Dawkins, pointing inside the last half-furlong before edging a length clear at the finish, notching his second consecutive win after beating maidens HOORAY HENRY and I LOVE BIRDIE at six furlongs on April 16.

Purchased for $2.4 million at the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association of Jamaica’s 2024 Mixed Sale from breeder Barrington Daley, STRONG AVEENU has thrust trainer Patrick Lynch into the 2000 Guineas reckoning after winning the classic with BLUE VINYL in 2022.

SUPER DAVID, a $700,000 TOBA buy by owner-trainer David Powell, was brave in defeat on his third outing, running without Lasix, which will be administered for the 2000 Guineas.

Champion trainer Jason DaCosta saddled four winners on the nine-race card dominated by favourites, resulting in a meagre $4,099 Reggae 6 payout.

However, punters have already started scouring their Track and Pools race form ahead of Monday’s Labour Day meet, fixed on nailing the Reggae 6 mandatory payout, which will open at $20.23 million.