Shericka Jackson is making a habit of writing down her goals and speaking them into reality.
That was the case again on Friday night when in a breathtaking display of speed and power, Jackson successfully defended her Jamaican 100m title, leaving spectators in awe as she blazed across the finish line in a world-leading time of 10.65 seconds.
This remarkable achievement not only secured her victory but also etched her name among the fastest women in history, now holding the title of the fifth fastest woman ever. Only world-recorder holder Florence Griffith-Joyner, Marion Jones, Elaine Thompson-Herah and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce have run faster.
After first revealing her methods in 2022 when she wrote down her 21.45s 200m to win gold at the World Championships, Jackson explained that it has now become the norm for her explaining that if you fear telling someone about your goals then you fear that you are not capable of achieving them.
After her remarkable run Friday, she revealed that she had written down the desired time back in June after clocking 10.78 seconds at the national stadium in Kingston.
She placed the written goal on her fridge earlier on Friday, using it as a constant reminder of her aspirations.
"I rewrote the time again this morning and I stuck it on the fridge, and I said today is the day. I'm happy I did it in Jamaica, and now it's time to go back to the drawing board," Jackson shared.
While Jackson had already secured a bye to the upcoming World Championships in Budapest for the 200m event, she expressed her intention to participate in the 200m at the championships.
Despite having fewer opportunities to compete in the event this year, she viewed the race as an opportunity for a proper run, aiming to execute her race plan flawlessly.
Elaborating on her strategy, Jackson emphasized her commitment to always giving her best performance. "For me personally, the hundred was the focus. I already have a bye in the 200, but because I haven't run so many 200s this year, I definitely want to run the 200 at the championships," she explained. "Every time I touch the track, I want to run fast. If it doesn't happen, I'm still grateful. But if I do run fast, I'm super grateful."
Reflecting on her victory and the statement it may have made to her competitors, Jackson remained humble, emphasizing that her primary focus was on her own progress and self-improvement. "I don't think there was a statement made. As I said, it's just a focus on myself, and I think I'm doing that pretty well," she said with gratitude.
With her eyes set on the upcoming challenges and opportunities, Jackson plans to consult with her coach to analyze her performance in the 100m race and identify areas that require refinement. Determined to continue her success at the World Championships, she highlighted the importance of preparation and fixing any aspects that need adjustment before she departs for Budapest.
In a remarkable display of resilience and determination, Olympic relay gold medallist, Briana Williams, defied the odds and made a triumphant comeback at the Jamaica National Athletics Championships on Friday night.
Despite battling injuries throughout the season, she managed to finish fourth in the highly competitive 100m race, clocking in at a season's best time of 11.01 seconds.
The race was dominated by some of Jamaica's finest sprinters, with Shericka Jackson leading the pack and setting a world-leading time of 10.65 seconds to claim victory. Sashalee Forbes, who achieved a personal best of 10.96 seconds, secured second place, closely followed by Natasha Morrison in third place with a time of 10.98 seconds.
For Williams, this achievement was nothing short of miraculous. Just a week prior, her hopes of participating in the trials seemed bleak after suffering an injury. However, through the relentless efforts of the staff at the YB Rehabilitation Centre, she made a remarkable recovery, defying the odds to secure a spot on Jamaica's team for the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Budapest.
In a post-race interview, Williams expressed her gratitude, acknowledging the support she received during her challenging journey. "Last week, the unbelievable happened to me, and I wasn't even sure if I was going to run at trials this week. The YB Rehabilitation Center worked tirelessly on me, and I just want to thank God that I made it out here and was able to run all three healthy races," she revealed.
While the fourth-place finish may not have been her ultimate goal, Williams remained positive, focusing on the progress she had made despite the setbacks.
"The season's not over. I still have more personal bests to run, but I just want to thank God that I still made the team," she said, emphasizing her determination to continue improving.
The Olympic relay gold medallist also highlighted the improvements in her race execution, crediting her coaches at Titans International for their unwavering support and guidance. She acknowledged the hard work they put into refining her performance and expressed confidence in her increased strength compared to the previous year.
“Definitely a lot stronger than last year. Just a few more things to work on and just focused on being healthy for the rest of the season so I can get lower my times each race.
“Right now it's going well. I'm just happy that I made it without feeling it (the hamstring) and I'm so grateful.”
Edwin Allen’s Theianna-Lee Terrelonge and Javorne Dunkley of St Elizabeth Technical were crowned national Under-20 girls’ and boys’ 100-metre champions, after both staved off tough challenges from rivals on day two of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA)/Puma National Junior Championships at the National Stadium on Friday.
Terrelonge, who was fairly comfortable throughout the rounds, was seemingly reserving her energy for a big performance which came in the form of a new personal best 11.47 seconds in a positive 1.4 metres per second wind speed.
The 15-year-old, whose previous personal best was 11.49s, held off her older Edwin Allen teammate Tonie-Ann Forbes (11.49s) and the fast-finishing St Catherine’s Asharria Ulett, who also bettered her previous personal best of 11.67s, with her 11.55s-clocking for third.
Dunkley, 18, then followed suit with an even more impressive showing. He got out well from lane four and had rivals struggling in his wake at the half-way point, before powering through the line to stop the clock in 10.17s in a positive 1.2 metres per second reading.
That smashed Dunkley’s previous best of 10.59s, as he won ahead of Jeevan Newby (10.26s) of Motorcade Track Club and Camperdown’s Junior Harris (10.32s).
Holy Childhood’s Abigail Wolfe expectedly topped the girls’ Under-18 100m final in comfortable fashion in a 0.9 metres per second tailwind. She covered the distance in 11.76s, ahead of Canelia Hope (11.95s) of Camperdown and Athletico’s Shanoya Douglas (12.05s).
Another St Elizabeth Technical standout Tramaine turned back the challenge of the Wolmer’s Boys pair of Gary Card and Ainsley McGregor, to win the boys’ Under-18 crown.
Todd clocked 10.46s for the win in a positive 1.2 metres reading, as Card and McGregor who both achieved new personal best marks of 10.61s and 10.66s respectively, had to settle for the minor placing.
Earlier, Chennai Jarrett of St Elizabeth Technical topped the girls’ Under-18 400m hurdles event in a time of 1:01.52, ahead of Rhianna Lewis (1:04.51) of Rhodes Hall and Covent of Mercy’s Halyncia Henry (1:05.95).
The Under-20 girls’ event was won by Edwin Allen’s Tonyan Beckford, who continued her superb form with a 58.78s-clocking. T’Kyla Bennett (1:02.26) of Excelsior and Titchfield’s Vanessa Ward (1:04.23) took the minor placing.
Daniel Wright of Excelsior proved too strong for rivals in the boys’ Under-18 400m hurdles, as he went out hard in the early stages and wasn’t for catching. He stopped the clock in 50.82s, ahead of Hebert Morrison’s Trevoy Smith, who clocked a new personal best 50.41s and Deandre Gayle of Jamaica College who also achieved a personal best 52.63s.
Meanwhile, St Jago’s Jaheene Bell won the boys’ Under-20 event in a new personal best 51.30s, with Antonio Forbes (51.54s) of Kingston College and Tyrece Hyman (51.60s) of MVP as the runners up.
In the field, Jamaica College’s Michael-Andre Edwards was the lone competitor to record a jump over seven metres, as he claimed the Under-18 boys’ long jump title with a mark of 7.20m.
The Old Hope Road athlete finished well ahead of Coke High’s Anthony Hall, who registered a jump of 6.83m for second, and Javid Malcolm (6.07m) of Petersfield High.
It was Munro College’s Javontae Smith, who came out on top in the Under-18 boys’ shot put with a throw of 16.63m. Kingston College’s Despiro Wray (16.17m), was not too far off in second, while a mark of 13.28m was enough to clinch the third-place spot for Joseph Salmon of Clarendon College.
Jaeda Robinson and Davine Dickenson, the duo from Immaculate Conception, claimed a one-three finish in the Under-18 girls’ triple jump.
Robinson achieved her best mark in the second-round when she cut the sand at 11.90m for the win, while Dickenson recorded a jump of 11.12m for third. They were separated St Catherine High’s Rohanna Sudlow separated the pair for the runner-up spot with a best mark of 11.73m.
Aided by a strong tail wind, the boys’ Under-20 long jump competitors produced some big leaps, as Royan Walters of Kingston College finished tops with a mark of 7.75m in a positive 3.4 metres per second reading. He bettered the St Jago pair of Demario Prince and Balvin Israel were second and third with mark of 7.62m and 7.32m respectively.
After a pair of scintillating 100m finals on day two of the JAAA/Puma National Senior and Junior Athletics Championships, Shericka Jackson and Rohan Watson emerged as the champions.
Jackson, already the second fastest woman ever in the 200m, became the joint-fifth fastest woman of all-time in the 100m with a magnificent, world-leading 10.65 to defend her national title.
Sashalee Forbes was second in a personal best 10.96 while Natasha Morrison ran 10.98 for third.
Briana Williams ran a season’s best 11.01 for fourth while double Olympic sprint champion, Elaine Thompson-Herah, was fifth in 11.06.
In the men’s equivalent, Rohan Watson, the 21-year-old who turned heads when he ran a then-personal best 9.98 in the heats on Thursday, proved that was no fluke as he held his nerve to stun the field, and the National Stadium crowd. His winning time was 9.91, another personal best.
Ryiem Forde dipped under 10 seconds for the first time, running 9.96 for second while Oblique Seville ran 10.00 for third, narrowly finishing ahead of Jamaica’s leader in the event this year, Ackeem Blake, who ran 10.01 in fourth.
Janieve Russell can now call herself a five-time Jamaican champion after she won a thrilling 400m hurdles final on day two of the JAAA/Puma national Senior and Junior Athletics Championships at the National Stadium on Friday.
Russell, the reigning Commonwealth Games gold medallist, produced a season’s best 53.75 to hold off the fast finishing Andrenette Knight (53.78) and Rushell Clayton (53.81) who finished second and third.
For Knight, this serves as redemption. Last year, she missed out on a national title after falling with 100m to go in the final after leading the whole race.
On the men’s side, Roshawn Clarke produced one of the performances of the Championships to win his maiden national senior crown.
Clarke, still only 19, brought the National Stadium crowd into a frenzy with a brilliant, world junior record-equaling 47.85. Clarke’s time also puts him second on Jamaica’s all-time list for the event behind Winthrop Graham’s 47.60 done in 1993.
Commonwealth Games silver medallist and three-time national champion, Jaheel Hyde, was second in a season’s best 48.45 while Assinie Wilson ran a massive personal best 48.50 for third.
Adelle Tracey won the Women’s 1500m title on day two of the JAAA/Puma National Senior and Junior Championships at the National Stadium in Kingston on Friday.
With a field of only two competitors, the 2022 NACAC silver medallist ran a time of 4:19.23 to finish ahead of 2018 Commonwealth Games 3000m steeplechase gold medalist, Aisha Praught-Leer (4:23.05).
The automatic qualification standard for the 1500m to the Budapest World Championships is 4:03.50 which Tracey achieved when she ran 4:02.65 at the Ostrava Golden Spike in August 2022.
While claiming his first Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA)/Puma National Senior Championships high jump title is all well and good, Romaine Beckford is more intent on hitting the World Athletic Championships automatic qualifying mark of 2.32 metres, which is one of a few objectives he has set for himself this year.
Though ranked in the top 25 at joint 16th with his personal best mark of 2.27m, achieved at the NCAA finals in Austin, Texas last month, Beckford is by no means satisfied with his current position, as he wants to make certain of his spot in Budapest, Hungary next month.
The 20-year-old made the declaration after topping rivals in the high jump finals on Friday’s second day of action at the National Stadium.
His first-time clearance at 2.23m bettered MVP’s Christoff Bryan, who also cleared 2.23m, on a countback, while dethroned national champion Lushane Wilson (2.15m) of GC Foster College.
“This is my second year jumping as a senior, so it is really exciting to know to have won my first senior championship on this occasion and I am just excited about the win,” said Beckford, formerly of University of South Florida, who contested the event as an unattached athlete.
“But I am still trying to work on getting the (Automatic World Championships) height and at the same time, I am also trying to get as much points as possible so I can stay in the points ranking,” he added.
To say that it has been a very successfully season for Beckford so far, would be a great understatement, as he completed the double of the NCAA outdoor and indoor championship honours, with this national title, now topping the cards.
Beckford attributes those achievements to the experienced gained last year, particularly at the Commonwealth Games where he finished among the top eight finalists.
“The biggest thing for me was garnering all that experience last year, jumping with the seniors at the Commonwealth Games as well, I think it kind of boost my confidence to know that I can really get to the top by virtue of not only jumping with some top jumpers, but also finish close to them. So, I am just using that experience and just trying to fulfill my goals,” he shared.
Such was his confidence and form coming into the championships that even the strong winds that swept across the Stadium, couldn’t through Beckford off his rhythm.
“Most of track and field is a mental thing, just as it is physical, so you just have to keep your mind ready at all times for any condition and it is just how you execute on the day, so I just kept my mind steady and adjusted to the conditions,” Beckford noted.
That said, the soft-spoken pointed out that getting to and, by extension, producing a quality performance at the World Championships, marks the first target on his list of ambitions.
“That’s one of my biggest objectives because from Germaine Mason stopped jumping for Jamaica, we haven’t had a high jumper qualify for the Olympic Games. So that’s what I am working on to make sure I am one of those high jumpers that will perform on the biggest stage for Jamaica, so I am trying to pick up the legacy and set a good trend for myself,” Beckford ended.
The Cricket West Indies (CWI) Senior Men’s Selection Panel today announced the squad for the first match of the Cycle Pure Agarbathi Test Series powered by Yes Bank against India.
The Panel named 13 squad members and two traveling reserve players for the match which will be played at Windsor Park in Dominica from 12 to 16 July.
There is a first-time call-up for left-handed batter Kirk McKenzie, while fellow left-hander Alick Athanaze is the other uncapped player in the squad. There are recalls for allrounder Rahkeem Cornwall, who played his last Test in November 2021, and left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican who was in the squad which toured Zimbabwe but missed the last tour of South Africa in February.
Left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie is unavailable for selection as he is undergoing rehabilitation from injury.
“We were very impressed with the approach to batsmanship of McKenzie and Athanaze on the recent ‘A’ Team tour of Bangladesh. These are two young players who got good scores and played with great maturity, and we believe they deserve an opportunity,” said Lead Selector, The Most Hon. Dr Desmond Haynes.
“We are without Motie, who is doing his rehabilitation, and this has created an opportunity for Warrican and Cornwall in the spin bowling department. They have both played at Test match level before and are capable of doing the job.”
Haynes added: “We had Jayden Seales here in the camp and he has made good progress during his rehab from surgery. However, we felt he is not yet quite ready to return, and we don’t want to risk him at this stage. Kyle Mayers was also considered but he has some niggles, and the precaution is not to have him in the rigors of a five-day match at this stage.
“Looking ahead to the series we know it will be a challenging one as we start the new cycle of the ICC Test Match Championship. We want to build and improve and strive to move up the ladder.”
West Indies squad will travel to Dominica on Sunday following their ongoing pre-series camp at Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua. They will have training sessions on Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning in the build-up to the match.
The Cycle Pure Agarbathi Test Series powered by Yes Bank will be the first fixtures for both West Indies and India in the new 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship. The first match bowls off on Wednesday at 10am (9am Jamaica/7:30pm India). The second Test on 20-24 July at Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad will be historic – marking the 100th Test match between West Indies and India.
Fans can purchase tickets in their preferred viewing locations from the Windies Tickets service, presented by Mastercard, at tickets.windiescricket.com – where they will be able to download tickets securely to their mobile device, or print out their ticket to present for scanning at the entrance point.
FULL SQUAD
Kraigg Brathwaite (Captain)
Jermaine Blackwood (Vice Captain)
Alick Athanaze
Tagenarine Chanderpaul
Rahkeem Cornwall
Joshua Da Silva
Shannon Gabriel
Jason Holder
Alzarri Joseph
Kirk McKenzie
Raymon Reifer
Kemar Roach
Jomel Warrican
Traveling Reserves:
Tevin Imlach
Akeem Jordan
FULL MATCH SCHEDULE:
Cycle Pure Agarbathi Test Series powered by Yes Bank
12-16 July: 1st Cycle Pure Agarbathi Test Match, Windsor Park, Dominica
20-24 July: 2nd Cycle Pure Agarbathi Test Match, Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad
CG United ODI Series powered by Yes Bank
27 July: 1st CG United ODI, Kensington Oval, Barbados
29 July: 2nd CG United ODI, Kensington Oval, Barbados
1 August: 3rd CG United ODI, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad
T20 Internationals
3 August: 1st T20I, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad
6 August: 2nd T20I, National Stadium, Guyana
8 August: 3rd T20I, National Stadium Guyana
12 August: 4th T20I, Broward County Stadium, Lauderhill, Florida
13 August: 5th T20I, Broward County Stadium, Lauderhill, Florida
Tom Marquand guided Savvy Victory from last to first to land a decisive blow in the Davies Insurance Solutions Gala Stakes at Sandown.
The Sean Woods-trained four-year-old for this Listed contest seeking compensation for a luckless run at Royal Ascot when badly hampered at a vital stage in the Wolferton Stakes.
Sent off the 17-2 outsider, Marquand was in no rush aboard the son of New Bay as Ryan Moore aboard the King and Queen’s Saga led the select quartet in the opening stages.
Marquand was still anchored in rear when 6-4 favourite Poker Face cruised into contention in the home straight and appeared the most likely winner when moving alongside Saga.
But with his challenge petering out and Saga’s petrol tank also emptying in the closing stages, it was left to Savvy Victory to surge his way to victory and register a going-away two-and-three-quarter-length success.
It was Woods’ second Listed success since returning to the UK training ranks from Hong Kong. But while Savvy Victory was cut to 16-1 from 33s by Paddy Power for the John Smith’s Cup at York later this month, he is unlikely to be seen on the Knavesmire.
Woods said: “It was a race that was made for us, as he could sit out the back and with four runners, he could come at the race in his own time.
“It is not the ground he likes, but we’ve got away with it today. It is drying all the time. We walked it after the Marathon and if there had been eight or nine runners he wouldn’t have been running today.
“I’m happy that we did and happy that we won, and delighted as the horse really deserves it.
“I think it is perfect ground. I wouldn’t be frightened of galloping anything on it. They made a good print. But he’s a horse that showed us he wants soft ground, he has had a couple of unlucky stories, but he’s grown up so much from three to four.
“I can’t thank the owners enough for leaving him here, because he could be in Hong Kong, but they understood he wants soft ground and they are big supporters. He means a lot to me, this horse.”
He added: “He’s in the John Smith’s and he would have had a very good chance if the ground came, but we chose to come here instead and we’re glad it has worked out. We definitely won’t go to York.
“We’ll be ruled by the weather, because he is a big colt. It is just a pleasure to have him this year, because he has just grown up.
“I’m sure there is a good one in him and it needs to be heavy and run where we don’t get any hard luck stories. It is just patience.”
All options remain open for King Of Steel following his impressive victory at Royal Ascot.
The Roger Varian-trained colt proved his brave second to Auguste Rodin in the Derby was no flash in the pan when romping to King Edward VII Stakes glory at the Royal meeting, marking himself out as one of the season’s leading middle-distance colts.
Connections have been eyeing a trip to ParisLongchamp on July 14 for the Grand Prix de Paris, but the son of Wootton Bassett also holds an entry for the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes, with Amo Racing supremo Kia Joorabchian suggesting it could be tempting to have a rematch with his Epsom conqueror at Ascot on July 29.
However, a final call is still to be made as connections ponder which route will benefit their talented operator most as the season progresses.
“He’s still got his entry for both France and Ascot and no decisions have been made yet,” said Tom Pennington, Amo’s racing and operations manager.
“He’s come out of Ascot in good shape, everyone is really happy with him and all options are on the table, we just need to make sure we pick the right one.
“We have to take into consideration it’s a long old season and we want to look after him. He’s clearly a talented horse with the rest of the season ahead of him and hopefully he will come back again next year.”
Amo Racing also have Olivia Maralda in training with Varian at Carlburg Stables and the Surrey Stakes scorer is poised to return to racing among her own sex following her fifth-placed effort in the Jersey Stakes last month.
The Group Three Whispering Angel Oak Tree Stakes on August 2 during the Qatar Goodwood Festival has been identified as a next port of call, which could lead to taking on her elders in the Sky Bet City of York Stakes later that month.
“She ran a great race against the colts in the Jersey and we were really pleased with that. The draw probably didn’t help in hindsight,” continued Pennington.
“We gave her an entry in the City of York earlier this week and she is probably going to head to the Oak Tree next at Goodwood.
“We might take on the colts again later in the season and obviously we could do that at York. But we thought let’s try to get another win under her belt and she won at Listed Level at Epsom, so now we’ll try to get a Group-level success and go from there.”
Paddington’s well-being is what prompted trainer Aidan O’Brien to divert from the original plan and target the dual Group One-winning colt at the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown on Saturday.
The Siyouni colt has carried all before him so far this season, winning each of his four starts without being seriously troubled.
He proved his mettle at the top level when winning the Irish 2,000 Guineas and comprehensively overpowered Newmarket Guineas winner Chaldean in the St James’s Palace at Royal Ascot.
O’Brien originally hinted he might keep his powder dry for Goodwood’s Sussex Stakes, but Paddington instead steps up to 10 furlongs and takes on his elders for the first time this weekend.
“Everything has gone well since Ascot, he hasn’t done much but everybody seems very happy with him,” said the Ballydoyle handler.
“There was always a chance that he would run (at Sandown). Obviously we were trying to give him as much time as we could and he’s nice and fresh and well, that’s why we’re giving him the chance.
“The plan was to go to Goodwood, but because he came out of the race at Ascot so well we think, we felt he could take this in on the way.
“He looks to be progressing from race to race.”
O’Brien does not expect the trip to be a problem for Paddington and is similarly unconcerned about the potential of the four-horse contest developing into a tactical affair.
“John (Magnier) always thought that a mile and a quarter was well within his compass pedigree-wise and Ryan (Moore) was always happy that he would get it as well,” O’Brien added.
“He’s a very straightforward horse and Ryan can go forward on him – he’s very happy to do anything really.
“I think all the horses in it are very good horses and I don’t think it (small field) makes a big difference, it should be fine.
“It’s going to be interesting taking on the older horses, we think he’ll handle it but you don’t know how it will go until you do it.”
Paddington is joined at the head of the market by Emily Upjohn, who steps back in distance after securing her second Group One victory over a mile and a half in the Coronation Cup at Epsom.
Of more concern than the shorter trip for connections of the John and Thady Gosden-trained filly, though, will be the fact she must concede 7lb to the O’Brien runner, who is rated 3lb superior.
William Haggas is looking forward to seeing the globetrotting Dubai Honour return to home turf following a profitable winter campaign abroad.
The five-year-old won back-to-back Group Ones in Australia in the year and was far from disgraced when third in the QEII Cup in Hong Kong. But Haggas acknowledges he has more on his plate in the Esher showpiece.
“He’s in good form, but obviously it is going to be tough to beat the front two. One is one of the best three-year-olds around and the other is one of the best four-year-old fillies around,” he said.
“They are going to be very hard to beat, but he is such a marvellous horse and has done so well.
“He has probably won twice as much money as all of them put together, which is extraordinary, and I have nothing but admiration for him.”
The small but select field is completed by Simon and Ed Crisford’s West Wind Blows.
The four-year-old is no slouch as a dual Group Three winner and finished best of the rest behind Hukum in the Hardwicke Stakes, but he will nevertheless be a big outsider.
“I don’t think West Wind Blows will look out of place on Saturday. It is a championship race and there are some of the best horses in training in it, but funny things can happen in these small field races,” said Ed Crisford.
“It is going to be a challenging test, but the horse is in great order and deserves to take his chance.
“Jamie Spencer will ride him and they are a very good match. It does come soon enough after Ascot, but he has bounced out of Ascot and come out of it very well.
“Hopefully he will keep improving. If he can run a good race we will be happy.”
Former Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Yibir showed he still has plenty of class when cosily taking the Listed Coral Marathon in the hands of William Buick at Sandown.
The Godolphin-owned five-year-old stepped up beyond a mile and a half for the first time when finishing sixth in the Ascot Gold Cup last time out, and dropped back to two miles here he took time to find his true rhythm.
With long-time leader Sleeping Lion beginning to fade, Buick tracked Aaddeey and made his move, switching around Hollie Doyle’s before drawing clear for a three-and-a-half-length success.
With trainer Charlie Appleby absent, assistant Alex Merriam said: “If you watch him in his races, he can come off the bridle early.
“He still showed a bit of class and there is still an engine there.
“I think if you went straight to Goodwood, you would not know whether he stayed or not. I think he’s seen it out well enough there, but whether we go two (miles) or a mile and six (furlongs), we’ll get him home and see how he is.
“There are a few options for him. Charlie mentioned maybe we will go back to a mile and six. Two miles is an option. He’s got his head in front and there are no big plans.
“He could go aboard. He’s been to America, but I only spoke briefly to Charlie.
“He is a proper horse and owes no one anything. It is just nice for the horse to get his head in front again.”
After unsaddling from the winner, who was sent off the 1-3 favourite, Buick said: “One I got him back in, I got into a lovely rhythm and he was taking me the whole way.
“The pace was even the whole way, so he could have come from anywhere in the race.
“I thought he built into the race lovely and when I asked him, he picked up well.
“I would say two miles is the absolute maximum of how far he’d want to go and we could easily come back to a mile and six.
“He warms into his races and sometimes it looks great and sometimes it just doesn’t work. Today we just got the balance right and he was entitled to win in that company.”
Charlie Appleby is responsible for four of the six confirmations for the Princess of Wales’s Stakes at Newmarket on Thursday.
The Group Two contest is the feature event on day one of the July Festival and Appleby appears intent on securing back-to-back victories following the success of Yibir 12 months ago.
Adayar, the Derby and King George hero of 2021, has the option of returning to a mile and a half after finishing third in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot, while Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Rebel’s Romance could make his first appearance since disappointing in the Dubai Sheema Classic in March.
Recent Fred Archer Stakes scorer Kemari and Meydan Group Two winner Global Storm, last seen finishing second to stablemate Hurricane Lane in the Jockey Club Stakes, complete the Moulton Paddocks quartet.
John and Thady Gosden’s Israr and the Charlie Fellowes-trained Grand Alliance are the other contenders.
Royal Ascot runner-up Malc is one of 14 juveniles entered for the other Group Two on the card, the Bahrain Turf Club July Stakes.
Richard Fahey’s youngster found only Valiant Force too strong when a 66-1 shot for last month’s Norfolk Stakes and looks set for a step up from five to six furlongs next week.
His Majesty is one of three possibles for Aidan O’Brien along with Edwardian and Mountain Bear.
Arrest heads 13 horses in the mix for the Bahrain Trophy, a recognised trial for the St Leger.
The Juddmonte-owned colt disappointed when favourite to provide Frankie Dettori with a dream success in his final Derby, and was again well held at the Royal meeting. Connections will be hoping for an easier surface on the July course.
Saint George is an obvious contender for Andrew Balding after finishing second in the Queen’s Vase. Circle Of Fire (Sir Michael Stoute) was fourth in the same race for the King and Queen and could also run at Newmarket.
The Edmondson Hall Solicitors Sir Henry Cecil Stakes looks an interesting contest, with the long-absent Nostrum the potential headline act.
The Kingman colt has not been seen in competitive action since finishing third in last season’s Dewhurst, with a spring setback ruling him out of the Classics.
This Listed contest appears an ideal comeback target for the Sir Michael Stoute-trained colt, but he might not have things all his own way, with James Ferguson’s Jersey runner-up Zoology and Appleby’s unbeaten course and distance winner Imperial Emperor among his potential rivals.
Karl Burke is blessed with an abundance of juvenile talent this season and Kylian could well prove to be among the best of them, judging by his demolition of six rivals in the Listed Dragon Stakes at Sandown.
Settled in by Ryan Moore early in the five-furlong contest, the strapping son of Invincible Spirit, sent off the 9-4 second-favourite, floated over the fast ground and picked up the leaders with ease, drawing clear inside the final furlong to win by six lengths from Hackman, with Nazalan third.
Former jockey Philip Robinson, now assistant racing manager to owner Sheikh Hamed Dalmook Al Maktoum, said: “He’s nice, isn’t he? Ryan just thinks he’s a very nice horse, but thinks he’s been quite a slow learner.
“He’s now learning what it’s all about and said he had a good look around when he got in front, but he didn’t look around too much, did he?
“Karl has always thought he was a good horse and was very surprised when he got beaten (on debut) at York.
“He’s just probably a slow learner, who is just learning through his racing. Hopefully, he will go on to better things.
“Ryan thinks he can possibly get six furlongs, so that’s another avenue.
“He had been working with his other good ones before he ran at York, so he was quite surprised (when he was beaten). Some horses take a little while to develop on track.”
Kylian is now likely step up in grade at Goodwood, according to Robinson.
“He might go to the Molecomb, possibly,” he said. “We will sit sown and talk to the owner and Karl.
“As long as he comes out of the race OK. I don’t think it was too hard a race.”
He added: “Ryan was able to fill him up and he was going well within himself. I don’t think they went crazy. It takes some getting up the hill, but you don’t see many winning like that over five furlongs.”
The favourite, Born To Rock, who looked a good prospect when making a winning start by 12 lengths at Yarmouth on his debut a month ago, failed to fire.
His trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam said beforehand he had been laid low and had been on a course of antibiotics after his victory.
“This did not appear to be his running – he is better than that,” she said.
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
