RideAllDay finds answers to The Prince’s Spur

Horse of The Year and defending Mouttet Mile champion, United States-bred RIDEALLDAY, yesterday rebounded from July’s disappointing Diamond Mile fifth-place finish to outrun fellow American, THE PRINCE’S SPUR, on the seven-year-old gelding’s local debut in the Philip Feanny Gold Cup.

Sent off as the 2-5 favourite in the seven-furlong Gold Cup for Grade One runners, a win-and-you’re-in for this year’s December 5 Mouttet Mile, RIDEALLDAY stalked the pace set by THE PRINCE’S SPUR, who took over from speedy PACK PLAYS three furlongs out.

Running 14lb lighter than RIDEALLDAY, THE PRINCE’S SPUR turned for home with Tajay Suckoo appearing to have more in hand than Ian Spence urging the four-year-old grey pursuer to pick up the pace swinging into the straight.

THE PRINCE’S SPUR, who last raced and won at Gulfstream Park, Florida, beating US$12,5000 claimers in January, kicked two furlongs out but a determined RIDEALLDAY came charging with a furlong and a half to run.

Spotting THE PRINCE’S SPUR drifting to mid-track, Spence angled RIDEALLDAY to the rail, attacking the bay gelding midway the stretch run before getting the better a half-furlong out, pulling off to win in 1:23.2, three-fifths off Eros 1991 track-record mark of 1:22.4.

RIDEALLDAY, who had already qualified for the Mouttet Mile by landing April’s Ian Levy in a track-record 1:41.4 before flopping in the July 25 Diamond Mile, won by a length from THE PRINCE’S SPUR, who might have been used up too early, chasing PACK PLAYS’ early splits of 23.0 and 45.4 before motoring into 1:10.4 for six furlongs.

Feanny, who conditions the Cassiopeia Racing Inc-owned Vekoma-Song Of Hours colt, said THE PRINCE’S SPUR chasing down PACK PLAYS was to RIDEALLDAY’s advantage.

“I was kinda glad he went to PACK PLAYS. It suited us the way he ran,” said Feanny, adding that RIDEALLDAY ran a good race in preparation for the Mouttet Mile.

Reflecting on the colt’s disappointing Diamond Mile run, Feanny said it was just a bad day at the office coming off a near four-month break after the Ian Levy.

“He stumbled at the gate and just wasn’t into it after that,” said the 14-time champion trainer, who celebrated his 12th win in the Gold Cup, which started being named in his honour last year.

Journeyman jockey Spence, RIDEALLDAY’s regular rider, who was bypassed by Feanny in favour of American Hall of Famer Javier Castellano for last year’s Mouttet Mile, said he was confident of nabbing THE PRINCE’S SPUR.

“The main thing was to break him properly and get him comfortable. Once I got him on the right lead, he started hounding them. It was good but he can do better,” Spence said, hoping he will be aboard the grey come December for December’s US$300,000 Mouttet Mile defence.

Feanny saddled two winners on the 10-race card, landing the second event with Jamaica Oaks runner-up, GIVING THANKS, at five furlongs straight.

Reyan Lewis booted home two winners, PLAYFAIR in the fourth and KHALEESI the nightpan, at five and a half and seven furlongs, respectively.

Racing continues this afternoon with a nine-race card.