Philip Feanny's BRUCEONTHELOOSE with Winston Griffiths. - File
Today's RJR St Leger at Caymanas Park, the season's final three-year-old classic, features a mouth-watering rematch between HE'S REALLY OK and BRUCEONTHELOOSE, who both went down to the wire in the June 13 UBA Derby over 2400 metres.
HE'S REALLY OK got up on the line to pip favourite BRUCEONTHE-LOOSE by a short head in what was a thrilling Derby, and with POSEIDON who finished a mere length away, third, renewing rivalry, the 83rd running of the St Leger is worth going miles to see.
Ten native-bred three-year-olds have been declared but indications are it will come down to the first three in the Derby - HE'S REALLY OK, BRUCEONTHELOOSE and POSEIDON, in addition to the classy filly SAINT CECELIA who cannot be left out of calculations, despite finishing down the track in the Derby. She has looked razor sharp at exercise since and is worth another chance.
POSEIDON, meanwhile, closed eight lengths in the straight on Derby Day to finish on the heels of the winner, HE'S REALLY OK, and narrow loser BRUCEONTHELOOSE, but it was the belief in some quarters that he was given too much to do by jockey Allen Maragh.
POSEIDON has also pleased in his preparation, galloping seven furlongs in 1:27.0 Sunday morning. Connections have gone for two-time champion jockey Brian Harding and this could pay rich dividends.
Still, I believe that the first two home in the Derby hold the key to the outcome once again, having established themselves as the top three-year-olds in training.
good pace and battling qualities
The late-blooming HE'S REALLY OK has been a credit to trainer Frederick Watson, winning both the Lotto Classic for the Governor's Cup over the St Leger distance and, of course, the Derby.
He showed good pace and battling qualities in both races and has come on more than any of his peers in recent months. Indeed, since fitted with the figure-eight for the May 23 Governor's Cup, the roan gelding is yet to lose. The figure-eight has really done wonders for him.
Having worked brilliantly in the last 10 days, HE'S REALLY OK is back with a grand chance of taking top honours. He will no doubt race in close touch of the expected leaders MY SPACE and BRUCEONTHELOOSE before starting his winning run under customary rider Paul 'Country' Francis from the half-mile.
BRUCEONTHGELOOSE, however, will be hell bent on gaining his revenge with leading all-time jockey Winston 'Fanna' Griffiths again riding for 14-time champion trainer Philip Feanny, having lost the Derby in the final stride.
Significantly, the grey colt by Wheelaway out of Road To Justice has been fitted with the figure-eight for the first time and this should have the desired effect on the quality of his performance. It did for HE'S REALLY OK.
My belief, however, is that the Guineas winner is the classiest three-year-old in training, having scored easily in open allowance company in his race prior to the Derby.
He has travelled nicely at exercise coming into the race and, with the distance just perfect, BRUCEONTHELOOSE should make amends for his near miss in the Derby, but it promises to be close with HE'S REALLY OK and POSEIDON once again.
Other firm fancies on the card are WORKING IMAGE in the first race, BDELLIUM in the sixth, RHOSA KLEBB in the 7th, MISS EILEEN in the eighth, HOMBRE in the ninth and NEW KINGSTON in the nightpan.