Rhythm Buzz collars Jaghai Trophy field

RHYTHM BUZZ, the most accomplished offspring of 2016 Gold Cup (Gr 1) winner, Buzz Nightmare, proved his versatility with a determined win against five-year-old United States-bred gelding, WALL STREET TRADER, overpowering the American debutant inside the final half-furlong of yesterday’s Henry W. Jaghai Trophy.

Turning for home fourth against the rail with regular rider Javaniel Patterson, the four-year-old colt quickly went past 4-5 favourite MAMMA MIA, racing in third after being burnt on the lead by an improved K P CHOICE and WALL STREET TRADER, the new leader coming off the turn.

WALL STREET TRADER set sail for home at odds of 5-2, galloping strongly with a determined KP CHOICE for company against the rail.

Whereas MAMMA MIA flattened in mid-track, RHYTHM BUZZ accelerated when switched off the rail by Patterson, leaping forward to collar WALL STREET TRADER a half-furlong out.

WALL STREET TRADER battled bravely with topweight 126lb under Jerome Innis. However, RHYTHM BUZZ, who had worked brilliantly two Saturdays past, clocking seven furlongs in 1:28.0, and recently showed signs of being able to hold his own as a sprinter, proved stronger in a battle to the wire, winning by a length and quarter in 1:13.0.

WALL STREET TRADER, whose importation as a gelding had caused a furore, since escalated into rule changes by the Jamaica Racing Commission, showed enough to confirm he will soon grace the winners’ enclosure.

Meanwhile, Tevin Foster put daylight between himself and Raddesh Roman with four consecutive winners on the 10-race card before his rival responded aboard NATURAL DANCER in the ninth. Foster started his marauding run in the fifth race aboard COSMIC FORCE, completing his four-timer with JOY IS GOLDEN and SHANY STAR, jumping to 30 winners, nine clear of Roman, who inched to 21 aboard NATURAL DANCER.

Gary Subratie emerged the day’s top trainer with two winners, ALL FOR LOVE, who floored howling favourite FRED THE GREAT in the fourth, before greeting NATURAL DANCER as a winner in the ninth.

Racing resumes at the weekend with the first Saturday-Sunday meet of March.