Whisky ensures $19,000 plus payout in Reggae 6

July 28, 2025
FUNCAADUN (left), ridden by Robert Halledeen, wins the SHE’S A MANEATER Trophy ahead of DESERT OF MALIBU (Raddesh Roman) over a mile at Caymanas Park on Saturday.
FUNCAADUN (left), ridden by Robert Halledeen, wins the SHE’S A MANEATER Trophy ahead of DESERT OF MALIBU (Raddesh Roman) over a mile at Caymanas Park on Saturday.

WHISKY, a gate-to-wire winner at odds of 6-1, closed Saturday's Reggae 6 as its longest shot for a $19,454 payout, after fancied runners dominated the first five events, including FUNCAANDUN, who grabbed DESERT OF MALIBU at the wire in the She's A Maneater Trophy at a mile in the fourth.

SILVER FOX landing the opening event under Shane Ellis at three and a half furlongs straight, winning at a king's ransom, odds of 7-2, was simply Raddesh Roman fever afflicting punters through off-time favourite QUEEN ZAN. The weekend's Reggae 6 preview stated: 'Never mind QUEEN ZAN beating SILVER FOX, both changed stables via the claim box out of that race, moving to new barns, suggesting their form could go either way.'

However, the Roman fever ensured QUEEN ZAN, who SILVER FOX had led for more than three and a half furlongs last out, was installed an even-money favourite, leaving trainer Oral Hayden laughing all the way to the bank.

Similarly, a warning was also issued for the second event: 'It's rare that a closer wins a race out the five-straight chute. Therefore go with all the speed horses, BASILICUS, PHOENIX RISEN, PRINCESS AKILAH, PHENOMENAL ONE and RHOSA THE WARRIOR'.

BASILICUS turning the tables on rivals should not have come as any surprise. Claimers are lamers, 90-odd per cent dependent on vets as opposed to form.

Whereas XYLOPHONIC STEEL was always a banker in the third, drawn perfectly along the faster stands' side at five furlongs straight, Robert Halledeen pulling off back-to-back wins by hammering FUNCAANDUN 24 times throughout the She's A Maneater to beat DESERT OF MALIBU by a short head has earned him what should be a very interesting meeting with the stewards.

Saturday's 10-race card closed July's meet, giving way to the Emancipendence holiday racing marked by the Jamaica Oaks at 10 furlongs on Emancipation Day, Friday, August 1, followed by Saturday racing, August 2, and the Jamaica Derby at 12 furlongs on Independence Day, Wednesday, August 6.

Other Sports Stories