Burning Hedge set for Derby glory

ST LEGER champion, I DREAM AGAIN, the horse that allowed former Member of Parliament, 82-year-old Derrick Smith, the chance to relive winning a classic race, bows into Wednesday’s Jamaica Derby seeking to emulate the once long-serving minister of national security’s most famed horse.

Smith, an owner for more than 50 years, realised every horseman’s dream with Seeking My Dream, winner of the 2015 Jamaica Derby, who went on to become one of the country’s best-ever local-bred milers, landing back-to-back Diamond Miles and Horse of the Year titles, 2015-16.

I DREAM AGAIN not only handed Smith his first classic victory in a decade but satisfied his 10-year wait for St Leger redemption after a failed objection against Superluminal for interfering with Seeking My Dream in the 2015 event.

Holding bragging rights after last month’s St Leger win, I DREAM AGAIN flying under the radar at odds of 5-1 has put him in the cross-hairs of Guineas winners, BURNING HEDGE and SENSATIONAL SOUL, who started favourites in an anticipated battle of the sexes, which never materialised.

I DREAM AGAIN getting first run on tearaway leader HANSA, caught BURNING HEDGE and SENSATIONAL SOUL flat-footed. BURNING HEDGE came with a very late charge afterwards but had to settle for third, a half-length behind runner-up and fellow filly, HANSA, who came out of the race with what has been described by trainer Richard Azan as a career-ending injury.

SENSATIONAL SOUL, a half-brother to 2019 Triple Crown winner, SUPREME SOUL, who had beaten I DREAM AGAIN in the Kingston Guineas trial and 2000 Guineas itself, finished fourth, five and three-quarter lengths behind BURNING HEDGE.

BURNING HEDGE finishing ahead of SENSATIONAL SOUL was no surprise, having clocked a faster time in the 1000 Guineas than the colts. However, leaving the half-mile marker 10 and three-quarter lengths off the lead, losing another length on the home turn, though rapidly improving into fifth from 11th position, simply left the filly with too much to do in the stretch run.

Trainer Carl Anderson, who, as an owner, won the 2001 derby with Awesome Power, has ditched champion and leading rider, Raddesh Roman, in favour of experienced Panamanian,

Dick Cardenas, who landed the 2010 and 2011 derbies with Mark My Word and Technomoto.

Shane Ellis has retained the ride aboard SENSATIONAL SOUL, hoping the derby distance of

12 furlongs will favour the late kicks which won him the Kingston Guineas trial and 2000 Guineas.

I DREAM AGAIN has been keeping company with stablemate PRINCE ROY, who has been getting the better of him at exercise. However, it could very well be that the Soul Warrior-Lady

Najariya offspring is simply not an exercise horse.

Repeating his St Leger victory, however, won’t be an easy task for I DREAM AGAIN. BURNING HEDGE’s recovery in the St Leger, from an almost hopeless position down the backstretch, suggests she will be tough to deny though facing colts, whom she has no fear of, having won last December’s Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes.