AutoSmart, a leading car insurance company underwritten by General Accident (GenAc), will sponsor the Treasure Beach Football Club (TBFC) for its first season in the Jamaica Premiere League (JPL), the highest level of professional club football in Jamaica.
The sponsorship agreement and cheque handover took place at a small ceremony at the AutoSmart offices in Kingston on Tuesday, October 10.
GenAc Chief Operating Officer Gregory Foster was pleased to make the presentation noting that, “We see where our partnership can be mutually beneficial and support a bigger dream. We look forward to a good season for the team.”
In fact, the Club will make their first showing in the JPL having emerged as winners of Tier II to advance to the top tier of Jamaican professional club football for this season. It is the first time in 43 years that a team from St Elizabeth has ventured into the top tier. The TBFC is also unique in that it is the only club in the league that is owned and operated by a non-profit organization, BREDS - Treasure Beach Foundation.
In his presentation, BREDS Chairman Jason Henzell outlined the long, yet rewarding, path to the achievement. “Ours is a story of community development in Treasure Beach merging with the sporting excellence of STETS,” he explained. Henzell, a community activist in his own right, lauded the input to many individuals that contribute to the “strong structure” of the Club. He called out BREDS President Paul Bernard for his belief and faith that drives the Club.
Bernard was quick to note that the success of the Club to date is a “collaborative effort” having “synchronized all our skills.” He attributed the Club’s success to a commitment to structure and discipline. In reference to the AutoSmart collaboration he noted that, “we are very happy to have the AutoSmart brand on board. Alone we cannot make it. Together we can. And we will wear your brand with pride,” he said to roaring applause.
Moved by the presentations, Foster revealed that, “at AutoSmart, we can relate to the story of being the underdog and we know that if you continue to remain disciplined, ensure that remarkable team spirit that propelled you to the Jamaica Premiere League, and maintain the camaraderie, we think that the Treasure Beach Football Club will make an admirable showing.”
The $3 million sponsorship earns AutoSmart pride of place on the team jersey sleeve. Additionally, in collaboration with the Treasure Beach Football Club and wider community, AutoSmart will offer special discounts to community club supporters.
The JPL kicks off on October 22, 2023.
Coolmore’s Michael Tabor described City Of Troy as “our Frankel” after his superb triumph in the Native Trail’s Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket.
The colt arrived at the track unbeaten after easy wins in a Curragh maiden and the Superlative Stakes, but he was far from a guaranteed contender as the soft ground threatened to scupper his run.
Trainer Aidan O’Brien eventually gave the son of Justify the go-ahead and under Ryan Moore he was sent off the runaway favourite at 8-15.
The juvenile made all the running to cruise to a three-and-a-half-length victory and now the Classics, and indeed a possible Triple Crown bid, beckon.
Owned by Coolmore, a group comprised of John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, the colt has exalted company to contend with but is still regarded as one of the best, if not the best, horse to have ever represented the owners.
Tabor was at the Rowley Mile track to witness the victory and was effusive in his praise for a horse he hopes can develop into Coolmore’s answer to the great Frankel, who bowed out unbeaten in 14 starts with 11 of those victories coming in Group One company.
“This horse is our Frankel, I really think that. There is no question in my mind, by his comments, that Aidan thinks this horse is probably the best he’s ever trained,” he said.
“He was nervous with the ground and when you tackle that unknown factor, there’s always a chance that they just won’t do it. He’s got that action, that very low action, but they say that a good horse goes on any ground.
“This is a good horse and he obviously does go on any ground, but I’d say he’ll be much better on top of the ground.
“I know the way Aidan speaks and we’re all optimists – you have to be in life in my opinion, in this game especially – but this horse is special. No question, he is special. He is the real deal.
“Let’s hope he is as popular as Frankel was but he’ll only get that popularity as time goes. Hopefully as time goes on he’ll win all the big races and the accolades will be given to him. I like to talk before the event and I really feel that this horse could be anything.
“It’s always been John Magnier’s dream to win the Triple Crown and we were very unlucky years ago with Camelot, he got beaten a three-quarters of a length in the St Leger.
“The St Leger trip can be a trip too far but let’s take one at a time, to me the Guineas and the Derby are very realistic. Get me a bookmaker that would lay me a price!
“Aidan says this horse doesn’t get tired! Aidan is very enthusiastic, if he doesn’t believe in something then the yard doesn’t believe in it and you have to give people confidence, but I know the way he is and this is something special.”
The owner’s son MV Magnier echoed the dream of finally winning the Triple Crown after Camelot’s agonising defeat.
He said: “It looks like it’s possible. Beforehand I was talking to Ryan and he said the horse that he rode in the Superlative was the best two-year-old that he’s ridden and he would beat any two-year-old he’s seen. That was some confidence going into the race and then afterwards he said he’s definitely the best two-year-old he’s ridden.
“His mother (Together Forever) won the Fillies’ Mile here a few years ago and her sister won the Oaks. Justify, Bob Baffert always said that he was a very good two-year-old but he got injured, he won the Belmont Stakes over a mile and a half so technically, he should get a mile and a half.
“It’s what everybody wants to do, it’s all about the Derby, it’s all about the Triple Crown, it’s really the pinnacle that everybody aims for. I’ll put it to you this way, we’ll keep trying to win the Triple Crown.”
Nicaragua continued its winning streak as the 2023–24 Concacaf Nations League resumed with four encounters in League B on Friday.
Nicaragua and Dominican Republic were victorious in Group B as the former extended their lead atop the standing and maintained the charge toward promotion. Montserrat and Barbados trail in the group and look to avoid contending for relegation.
In Group C, St Vincent and the Grenadines was halted by French Guiana while Bermuda won at Belize. Vincy Heat remain in pole position due to its September victories and looks to defend that standing.
Montserrat vs. Nicaragua
Nicaragua defeated Montserrat by a scoreline of 3-0 at the Wildey Astro Turf Stadium in Barbados.
Juan Luis Perez opened the scoring in the fifth with a header to convert on an early corner kick opportunity.
Goalkeeper Corrin Brooks saved an attempt from Juan Barrera in the 31st to keep the deficit to a minimal difference as Nicaragua were pushing for more.
Ariagner Smith broke free in attack and nearly extended the lead in the 37th but Brooks was there for another save as both teams went tied to the break.
Harold Medina got the second for Nicaragua in the 72nd with a shot at the top of the arc.
Jacob Montes then added a third in the 90+4 to seal the three points for the group leader.
St Vincent and the Grenadines vs. French Guiana
French Guiana came away with a 4-1 victory against St Vincent and the Grenadines at the Arnos Vale Stadium in Kingstown.
Thomas Nemouthe struck in the seventh for the visitors with a left-footed shot from the right side of the box.
Arnold Abelinti extended the lead in the 11th with a right-footed hit from the penalty spot. The opportunity came from a handball into the box by defender Nigell Charles.
Jahvin Sutherland took one back for the home side in the 31st as a give-and-go off a corner kick made way for the defender to head in the ball inside the box.
Loic Baal struck again for French Guiana in the 42nd as the visitors retook a two-goal lead before halftime.
Jules Haabo iced the result with a strike in the 81st as a jubilant French Guiana team picked up its first three points of the campaign.
Barbados vs. Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic won 5-0 over Barbados at the Wildey Astro Turf Stadium in Barbados.
Dorny Romero struck in the seventh to cap off an elaborate play off a corner kick opportunity for the visiting side.
Edarlyn Reyes extended the lead in the 21st with a left-footed shot across goal on a counterattack.
Another free kick opportunity in the 45th made way for a third Dominican Republic goal by forcing an own goal from Ramon Griffith.
Heinz Morschel scored in the 57th with a rocket from the top of the box to get his first of the tournament.
Andre Applewhaite of Barbados was ejected in the 88th after a late tackle earned him a second yellow card. Riki Alba added a fifth in the ensuing free kick opportunity as the Dominican Republic earned its second victory of the tournament.
Belize vs. Bermuda
Bermuda took a 1-0 win against Belize at the FFB Stadium in Belmopan, Belize in the first-ever encounter between the two nations.
Kane Crichlow scored the opening goal in the 18th on a long-range attempt from midfield.
Eldon Reneau looked to have the equalizer in the 30th, but Bermuda goalkeeper Dale Eve blocked the shot. Nahjib Guerra then tried to get the tie for the hosts in the 45+1 but Eve was there for the save.
Jai Bean attempted in the 50th with a long-range shot. Meanwhile, Belize tried to go to its reinforcements on the bench as Horace Avila got on target in the 55th, forcing a save from Eve.
Belize goalkeeper Charles Tillett and Dale Eve both had important stops, as no goal would be scored for the remainder of the match.
Eve ended the day with four saves and the cleans sheet as Bermuda took its first win of the season.
Charlie Appleby appears to have another Classic contender on his hands after Arabian Crown strolled home in the Ghaiyyath Zetland Stakes at Newmarket.
The Godolphin handler and jockey William Buick had already unleashed a potential Derby horse in Autumn Stakes winner Ancient Wisdom earlier on the card and Arabian Crown looks sure to be on their shortlist for the main events next term.
The son of Dubawi had won two of his three previous starts, recently graduating to Listed glory at Salisbury and he was sent off the 10-11 favourite to make the leap to Group Three glory.
Arabian Crown raced keenly enough in company with Gasper De Lemos in the early stages of the 10-furlong heat, but the market leader was clearly well in control from some way out, with each of his three rivals all under pressure.
Buick merely had to keep his mount up to his work to come home five and a half lengths clear, with Paddy Power making him a 12-1 chance for the Derby from 33s.
Appleby also struck in Friday’s Oh So Sharp Stakes with Dance Sequence on what was an important two days for the Godolphin team.
He said: “It’s all to do with the two-year-olds this year and this was a big weekend for us. The three horses we were confident about were the filly yesterday (Dance Sequence) and the two colts today and they’ve all gone and won their races. We’ve got some nice horses going into the winter.
“This horse, on his pedigree and what he’s achieved, probably has more of a Derby profile (than City Of Troy), but on what we saw in the Dewhurst, City Of Troy is a fantastic racehorse.
“He will be Guineas-bound whereas we’ll be going more down the Derby route. Whether he’s a Dante horse or we look at one of the other trials, that will be our sort of route.
“He’s a very hard horse to assess this fellow, as he’s not a workhorse. James (Doyle) rode him work last week and he was out the back of the gallop, whereas the other fellow (Ancient Wisdom) does travel and has more natural pace.
“This horse picked up well today and quickened. He’s won a Listed race and a Group Three and officially and on paper he’s the better horse.”
West Indies Women suffered an 8-wicket defeat to Australia in the 3rd One Day International at Junction Oval, which gave Australia a 2-0 series win in the three-match series, after the second game was abandoned due to rain.
The West Indies Women were sent in to bat first and they struggled against a disciplined Australian bowling attack, failing to post a challenging total. Wicketkeeper/batter Rashada Williams once again led the team with the bat as she top-scored with a patient 23 off 71 deliveries. Skipper Hayley Matthews was next best with 23 off 17 falling for the second time in series to Kim Garth. Cherry-Ann Fraser provided some late hope at the end of the innings with 19 off 34 deliveries, which included a mighty 6. Annabel Sutherland was the pick of the Australian bowlers, finishing with figures of 4-0-23-3, followed by Tahlia McGrath with 3.4-0-10-2.
In their run-chase, skipper Alyssa Healy ensured her team got their quickly, with a 27-ball 32. Ellyse Perry and Beth Mooney were at the crease when victory was achieved in 15.3 over, on 29 and 11 respectively.
This tour was always viewed as a challenging one for the West Indies Women, aimed to exposing the younger brigade to conditions starkly different from the Caribbean and to compete against the top-ranked side in the world. The main goal was learning and adapting, and in that sense, there were takeaways.
Despite the setbacks in the ODI series, the T20I series had previously highlighted the raw talent and potential the West Indies Women possess. They showed their ability to not only compete but also snatch a world-record win the 2nd T20I against the best in the business.
In the post-match presentation, captain Hayley Matthews reflected on the ODI series. She said, “I think for us we definitely got to find a way for more of our batters to chip in. It's disappointing for many of us, especially throughout the ODI series not being able to get totals on the board. However, we recognize the calibre of the opposition and knew the challenges of this tour. But reflecting upon our performances, we believe we can and should do better.”
The road ahead for the West Indies Women is an exciting one, with away series lined up against Pakistan and Sri Lanka in 2024, but the team's eyes are firmly set on the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh next September-October.
While the tour's results may not have been in their favour, the lessons learned will undoubtedly serve as a building block for the future. The journey to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup will be one to watch, with the West Indies Women looking to bounce back stronger.
Match Schedule and Results
1 October: 1st T20I at North Sydney Oval, Sydney – Australia won by 8 wickets
2 October: 2nd T20I at North Sydney Oval, Sydney – West Indies won by 7 wickets
5 October: 3rd T20I at Allan Border Field, Brisbane – Australia won by 47 runs
8 October: 1st ODI at Allan Border Field, Brisbane – Australia won by 8 wickets
12 October: 2nd ODI at Junction Oval, Melbourne – 10:05am local time (7:05pm October 11 Eastern Caribbean/6:05pm Jamaica)- Match abandoned
14 October: 3rd ODI at Junction Oval, Melbourne – 10:05am local time (7:05pm October 13 Eastern Caribbean/6:05pm Jamaica)- Australia won by 8 wickets
The Shunter repelled all challengers to fulfil a long-term plan in the Club Godolphin Cesarewitch at Newmarket.
Trained by Emmet Mullins, the 10-year-old is more famed for his exploits over obstacles, having won at the Cheltenham Festival and been placed at Grade One level in novice chase company.
Back on the level though, The Shunter teamed up with James Doyle in the two-and-a-quarter-mile contest which offered over £103,000 to the winner.
Doyle rode The Shunter (14-1) with restraint in the early exchanges, making stealthy headway before pushing to the front two furlongs out.
Top weight Tashkhan had been prominent throughout but he was eager for a battle, pushing The Shunter all the way through the closing stages while Pied Piper, another National Hunt runner moving back to the Flat, made a late grab for glory inside the distance.
However, The Shunter dug deep to prevail by three-quarters of length from Pied Piper, with Tashkhan (25-1) a further head back in third and 100-1 shot Bashful Boy grabbing fourth.
Mullins admitted this race had been the plan for almost a year, with future plans yet to be decided.
He said: “It was a brilliant performance from horse and rider. I’d say James didn’t know what to make of the instructions going out as I said the horse has probably got more ignorance than ability, but he’ll keep pulling it out and keep fighting.
“It’s a bit surreal it’s come off. This race has probably been on the radar since he finished fourth in the November Handicap in Naas last year. We always thought there could be a big pot in him on the Flat and patience has paid off.
“He’s been in great order at home and he’s very tough, which he has shown down through the years.
“All options are open again. He was entered in last year’s Grand National and we scratched him at the 11th hour, but everything is an option.”
Aidan O’Brien hailed City Of Troy as the best two-year-old he has trained following a sensational display in the Native Trail’s Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket.
O’Brien expressed some doubts about the soft ground in the lead up to the race but the decision to run the colt proved the right call.
Under Ryan Moore, the unbeaten juvenile set the early pace as the 8-15 favourite and the triumph looked inevitable when he surged clear of his seven rivals two furlongs from home before crossing the line three and a half lengths ahead.
Ancient Wisdom made light work of the Emirates Autumn Stakes for William Buick and Charlie Appleby.
The bay was the 2-1 joint favourite for the one-mile Group Three and was ridden patiently on soft ground that he seemed to relish.
Coming out of the dip on the Rowley Mile he began to gather pace and was easily able to pull away from his rivals to secure a three-and-three-quarter-length victory over Chief Little Rock.
Ancient Wisdom had been off the track since finishing third to subsequent Group One scorer Rosallion in July and Appleby, who was winning the race for the fourth successive year, was delighted to see the Dubawi colt leave that run well behind him.
He said: “We were disappointed we were beaten at Ascot, but the form worked out so well you couldn’t really be disappointed in it.
“I’ve held my hands up – I probably mismanaged him by running him here at Newmarket on his second start. He broke his maiden at Haydock and I thought I’d take him to Newmarket thinking I’d get a bit more experience and I was probably just forcing him a bit too much.
“After Ascot we said we’d give him a nice break and come here for either this or the Zetland, thinking he’ll be a nice middle-distance type for next year.”
On whether he views Ancient Wisdom as a Derby contender, the trainer added: “There’s a lot of water to go under the bridge, but I think a mile and a quarter will be well within his compass and I personally feel he’ll appreciate going a mile and a half.
“It’s nice to see some of these two-year-olds coming to the fore. You can go through the season wondering where the next star or nice horse is going to come from, hopefully over the last 24 hours we’ve started to unearth a couple.
“He’s a Dubawi and with those middle-distance type Dubawis, I personally think you can’t force them too much in the early part of their three-year-old career.
“Something like at Dante (at York) might be a target for him, whether we take in a race before a Dante we’ll just see where we are in the spring.”
Betfair cut Ancient Wisdom to 12-1 from 33s for next year’s Derby.
League A of the 2023-24 Concacaf Nations League continued on Friday with Panama, Martinique and Trinidad and Tobago all collecting pivotal wins.
Curacao vs. Panama
Things in Group A got started at the Ergilio Hato Stadium in Willemstad, Curacao where visitors Panama topped Curacao 2-1.
Panama is now in second place with seven points, while Curacao have officially been relegated to League B with their third defeat.
Edgar Barcenas of Panama opened the scoring in the 29th on a play that was crafted by midfielder Adalberto Carrasquilla, who lofted an inch-perfect pass to the running Cristian Martinez and the cutback pass hit Barcenas in stride, making for an easy sweep into net.
Panama doubled their advantage in the second half in the 77th through Jose Rodriguez, who expertly headed in a cross from Barcenas.
Curacao would get on the scoreboard in the waning moments of second half stoppage time, with Rangelo Janga executing a tidy header of his own.
Martinique vs. El Salvador
Martinique made a strong move up the table thanks to a 1-0 victory over El Salvador at the Stade Municipal Pierre-Aliker in Fort-de-France.
Martinique now have six points and sit in third place, while El Salvador, by virtue of this, their third defeat, have officially been relegated to League B.
Just like they did in their Gold Cup group stage meeting over the summer, Martinique struck first in the first half and took a 1-0 lead in the 23rd.
It was a well-crafted goal from Les Matinino, who worked the ball up the field, switching sides before a cross from the right wing by Damien Dussaut hit the cutting Johnny Marajo, whose right-footed shot beat El Salvador goalkeeper Mario Gonzalez.
Martinique then had a great chance at doubling their lead in the 73rd when Brighton Labeau hauled in a pass deep in the area and used an exquisite first touch to have an open look at goal, only to see his shot sail wide.
El Salvador had one final chance in second stoppage time through Mayer Gil, but his shot rang off the post and rolled wide in front of goal, still three points were safe for Martinique.
Trinidad and Tobago vs. Guatemala
The day in Group A then concluded with a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory for Trinidad and Tobago against Guatemala at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain.
Trinidad and Tobago remain atop the group with nine points, while Guatemala remain in fourth place with four points.
It was a dream start for Guatemala, as Rubio Rubin struck for the opener in the 12th by touching home a shot right in front of goal off a pass from Nathaniel Mendez.
Guatemala doubled their lead in the 32nd when an initial attempt from Oscar Santis was blocked by a defender, but Santis’ follow-up attempt was smashed off the post and in for the goal.
But Trinidad and Tobago responded well and pulled back to within a goal at 2-1 in the 35th when Alvin Jones converted a penalty after Noah Powder had been fouled in the area.
Trinidad and Tobago kept the pressure on and were back on level terms in the 54th when a Neveal Hackshaw header was saved by Guatemala goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen, but Reon Moore was there to hammer home the rebound.
Play remained wide open going into the final half-hour, with Guatemala nearly retaking a lead in the 70th on a Jose Pinto header that hit the crossbar and dropped onto the goal-line before being cleared.
The final says, though, belonged to Trinidad and Tobago, as Nathaniel James, who came off the bench to score a late winner on matchday one against Curacao, did it again, this time firing in a free kick in the 89th to deliver the telling blow.
STATHS and St. George’s College both secured wins to stay unbeaten in the Group stage of the ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup on Friday.
STATHS, who have already secured a spot in the next round, got by Cedar Grove 2-0 for their ninth win in as many games in Group D. Excelsior moved within nine points of STATHS in second with a 3-1 win over Bridgeport.
In Group F play, St. George’s moved to a perfect 24 points from eight games thanks to a 1-0 win over Waterford. Campion College moved within five points of the leaders in second after a 1-0 win of their own against Jose Marti while the day’s other group game saw Pembroke Hall and Ardenne play out a 2-2 draw.
Shane Dowrich, the experienced wicket-keeper/batsman, has been named to captain the Combined Campuses and Colleges in the upcoming CG United Super50 Cup. Dowrich is one of two Test players in the 14-member squad. The other is fast bowler Chemar Holder.
The squad also includes two members of the West Indies Rising Stars Under-19 team which recently toured Sri Lanka. They are Jordan Johnson, the left-handed batsman and Isai Thorne, the strongly-built fast bowler. The team was announced on Friday following a preparation and selection camp at the Sir Frank Worrell Cricket Grounds of the University of the West Indies Sport and Physical Education Centre (UWI SPEC) at the St. Augustine Campus.
Head Coach Floyd Reifer gave an assessment of the team’s preparation for the region’s premier List A 50-over tournament which will feature a new eight-team league format followed by Semi-Finals and Finals to determine the 2023 CG United Super50 Cup Champions.
“We had a really good camp at UWI SPEC and the players all look ready for the tournament. Last year it was good to be back, and we are happy to be here once again this year in the regional tournament,” Reifer said.
“What we want to do is to start planting the seed, so they can blossom. I know the brand of cricket we want to develop in West Indies cricket so we looked to inculcate that in our preparations and when we take to the field.”
The 50-over tournament will officially bowl off in Trinidad on the morning of Tuesday 17 October with the opening match between home side Trinidad & Tobago Red Force and the CCC at the Queen’s Park Oval (QPO) at 9am (8am Jamaica). Also on Tuesday, the Guyana Harpy Eagles will face the Windward Islands Volcanoes at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy (BLCA) in the first televised match at 1pm (12 noon Jamaica).
The Tournament will feature 31 matches to be played at three venues: the BLCA, the QPO and UWI SPEC – with the final on Saturday 11 November under lights.
FULL SQUAD
Shane Dowrich (captain)
Kadeem Alleyne
Jediah Blades
Romario Greaves
Chemar Holder
Johann Jeremiah
Jordan Johnson
Kirstan Kallicharan
Abhijai Mansingh
Shaqkere Parris
Akshaya Persad
Shatrughan Rambaran
Demario Richards
Isai Thorne
Team Management Unit
Floyd Reifer (Head Coach)
Pedro Collins (Assistant Coach)
Keno Mason (Assistant Coach)
Ryerson Bhagoo (Team Manager)
Kelly Coonjah (Physiotherapist)
Candace Joseph (Strength and Conditioning Coach)
Avenesh Seetaram (Analyst)
Reggae Girlz forward Cheyna Matthews is to retire from professional football after what will be her final match this weekend, according to reports.
Matthews, who was a member of Jamaica’s history making Reggae Girlz squad that made it to the round of 16 at the FIFA Women’s World Cup and who plays for the Chicago Red Stars will hang up her boots after her team battles OL Reign at the SeatGeek Stadium on Sunday, October 15. She is to be feted by her club before Sunday's match.
The player who turns 30 in November, has played for the Reggae Girlz since 2019 and represented the team at two World Cups.
The Jamaica Football Federation expressed their gratitude for her contribution to Jamaica’s women’s programme.
“Thank you Cheyna for your wonderful service to Jamaica. As you retire from football we would like to wish you all the best on the next chapter of your life and you will always be a Reggae Girl.
A Georgia native, Matthews, a Florida State alum, began her professional career in 2016 when she was the seventh overall draft pick by the Washington Spirit. She played five years with Washington Spirit before joining Louisville FC in 2021.
Cheyna, who is married to San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jordan Matthews, is mother to three three sons.
Alsakib looks set to head for Qatar during the winter after continuing his steep upward trajectory in the £120,000 bet365 Old Rowley Cup at Newmarket.
The grey son of Kingman had won three of his four previous starts for Andrew Balding, most recently landing a valuable handicap at Ascot last month.
With James Doyle in the saddle, Alsakib was the 100-30 favourite to defy a 9lb rise and land another lucrative prize on the Rowley Mile and he eventually reeled in Shadow Dance to prevail by half a length.
“He’s a lovely horse who has done nothing but improve and stays well, which has slightly surprised me,” said Balding.
“At Goodwood (finished third over a mile and a quarter) it looked like he might stay a bit further and he’s now unbeaten over a mile and a half. He’s definitely going the right way.
“I doubt we’d go again this season in England. The hope, certainly for the owner, is that he might run in the Qatar Derby in December. That would be dropping back to a mile and a quarter, but that was always the intention after putting him in training with me, so we’ll look towards that.
“If he comes back next year, anything is possible.”
Devoted Queen made an impressive start to her career in the first division of the Godolphin Under Starters Orders Maiden Fillies’ Stakes.
A Kingman half-sister to the high-class One Ruler, Charlie Appleby’s youngster was the 15-8 favourite to make a successful debut and quickened up smartly to beat Vicario by two and a quarter lengths in the hands of William Buick.
Appleby and Buick were completing a double following the earlier success of Dance Sequence in the Group Three Oh So Sharp Stakes, and the trainer said: “She (Devoted Queen) is a nice filly, her work has been good at home and she’s from a family that we know.
“There was confidence coming into her today, but as Will said beforehand, she’s a filly for the future and he wanted to ride her the right way round and get the most out of her that way.
“I think we’ll just see how she does mentally before we decide if we run her again this year. She’s a filly who does everything a little bit on her nerves at home, which is why she wore the red hood to post today. We’ll see how she comes out of it and decide whether we give her one more run or put her away.”
Division Two of the seven-furlong contest went to the stoutly-bred Glimpsed (13-8), trained by Ralph Beckett and ridden by Rossa Ryan.
The Night Of Thunder filly is a sibling to several Pattern race performers for owner-breeder Julian Richmond-Watson, including the Group One-winning stayer Scope.
Get The Music On was the 6-4 favourite following a narrow defeat on her Lingfield introduction, but Glimpsed’s stamina kicked in late on and she got up to score by a length and a quarter.
Beckett’s assistant Joe Tuite said: “She’s not the biggest, but she’s well-bred and very tough and showed a great attitude.
“Her work has been good and we’re pleased she’s transferred that to the racecourse.
“She does what it says on the tin, there’s stamina in her pedigree and I’m sure she will stay further.”
The concluding Newmarket Pony Academy Pride Stakes was run in near darkness and driving rain – and it was Gary Moore’s 9-1 shot Novus who emerged from the gloom to secure Group Three honours by two lengths from Veil Of Shadows.
Winning jockey Tom Queally said: “I couldn’t see much, and I knew I was going to give her a great ride because no one else could see anything either!
“All she’s done all year is improve and it’s remarkable because she’s had a few little niggles along the way. She wasn’t quite right a few weeks ago and Gary has done a great job with her.
“She loves dig in the ground and on the dam’s side there’s stamina, so we were quietly confident that would make a difference and it did.”
Former champions Cornwall College and St Elizabeth Technical High (STETHS), as well as Cedric Titus High, won their respective zones on Wednesday as the race for qualification points in the second round of the ISSA/Wata DaCosta Cup football competition heats up.
Lincoln Cox scored his second double of the season while Dane Buckley and Javaine Barnes scored one goal each as Cornwall College beat Spot Valley High 4-1 in their return round game as they cruised to 23 points and wrapped up Zone A honours.
Second-placed Irwin High, who were held 1-1 by Green Pond High at Green Pond, moved to 19 points, four points behind Cornwall College, with one game to go for both teams.
In another game, St James High beat Maldon High 4-0.
STETHS played out a 1-1 draw against Munro College at Munro, and the point took them to 23 at the top of Zone E, and any of the other teams cannot catch them.
BB Coke moved to 19 points, one point away from advancing from Zone E after a 3-1 win over Lacovia High.
Cedric Titus edged Browns Town High 2-1 and improved to 25 points more than any other team in Zone C can get, while William Knibb Memorial kept their slim hopes of advancing alive after beating Ocho Rios High 2-0 in their Zone C playoff game.
Wednesday also saw The Mannings School wrap up their spot in the second round after beating Knockabout Technical 3-0 in their return leg Zone D game played at the Mannings grounds.
Gregory Phillips scored twice while Akieme Gordon got the third.
The win carried Mannings School to 16 points from five wins and a draw as they reclaimed the lead from Petersfield High, who are tied on 13 points with Black River High.
Mannings School, who made it to the semi-finals in the last two competitions, can win the zone on Saturday’s final game against Grange Hill.
On Thursday, despite being held to a 2-2 draw by Knox College, Mile Gully High is the first second-round qualifier from Zone G.
The point Mile Gully earned from the return round game was enough to see them win the zone as they took their points tally to 19, four more than second-placed Christiana High and five more than Knox College.
It was Mile Gully’s first time qualifying for the second round since the 2018 season.
Belair High and Edwin Allen High are also through to the second round after both scored 2-0 wins on Thursday.
Christian Henry and Daniel Brown scored for Belair High in their win over May Day High to push their points tally to 24 to take the second spot behind Manchester High, who were 1-0 winners over DeCarteret College and took their points tally to 27.
Edwin Allen High, who won the Ben Francis KO two years ago, joined defending champions Clarendon College as the qualifiers from Zone H after beating Lennon High 2-0.
Jahleel Blackwood and team captain Kimolar Ferron scored to give Edwin Allen a 2-0 win over Lennon High in their first meeting of the season, improved to 18 points, and secured second place.
Champions Clarendon College extended their winning run to seven games with a 4-1 win over Thompson Town and are 21 points at the top of Zone H.
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