Former world heavyweight boxing champion Lennox Lewis (left) presenting the ADL Superstakes Trophy to Wessel Burnett, whose 4-y-o gelding, HOMBRE, scored a stunning 52-1 upset win in the Grade-One invitational race at Caymanas Park last Saturday. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer
CHAMPION trainer Wayne DaCosta not only has the 2009 title sewn up - his ninth since 1984 and fifth in a row - but from all indications is gearing up to unleash another blitz of impressive horses on his rivals and racing fans come next year.
FLUFFY, a two-year-old American-bred filly, debuts in tomorrow's first race for DaCosta, working like a bomb and ready to blow away her eight rivals.
The filly galloped 1:06.4 for a flat five-and-a-half furlongs last Sunday morning and looks all set to maintain DaCosta's record of fielding top overseas runners in recent years.
Although the eight-time champion trainer has not won a Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes since 1997 nor a three-year-old classic since SWING BY landed the 1000 Guineas and Jamaica Oaks in 2006, DaCosta has ruled the roost with a potent mix of older horses, claimers and crack imported runners.
FLUFFY looks set to join other impressive DaCosta foreigners such as CASSANOVA BOY and DOUBLE THE HONEY, who both debuted at the backend of this season.
CASSANOVA BOY, a three-year-old colt, is unbeaten in two starts with times of 1:06.1 for 1100 metres and 1:11.4 at 1200 metres, with 57.0 and 56.0 kilos, respectively.
DOUBLE THE HONEY, a two-year-old half-sister to Dwight Chen's HONEYOFALADY, cantered home on her November 4 debut in 1:13.1 for 1200 metres.
Superstakes-winning jockey, Andre Martin, after that 52-1 shocker aboard HOMBRE last Saturday, partners FLUFFY for DaCosta, the champion trainer's only starter on the 10 racecard.
sharing the spotlight
Claimers share the spotlight in the day's feature races, with super-fit COCK ROBIN getting the nod in the 1000-metre straight Champion Betting/CTL Claiming race, the penultimate event in the bonus series.
COCK ROBIN returns from his mandatory 'month in jail', now eligible to run at the same level, after being snatched from George Moo-Young by Phillip Thompson on a $230,000 tag on October 19.
Last time out he was was outsped by the imported AVABELLE at 1000 metres round, and chased the entire way before COLEMAN'S ROCK stormed home to nail the leader at the wire.
slips four kilos
The apprentice Ansley Dancel slips four kilos which should see COCK ROBIN running with 52.0, much too light for the six-year-old to be opposed.
Reclaimed by Welsh Soutar from Patrick Chang, SIMPLE SWEET is preferred to PIECE A FOOT in the one-mile Alty McKenzie Memorial, the 10th event.
The five-year-old mare was fast catching MELINDAGATA at 1200 metres when the post intervened last Friday and should now go one better in an easier pace.
Delroy Waugh's RULE BY SECRECY ventures up the claiming ladder after landing back-to-back races, but a mile in a true pace - especially with his tardy gate habit - should be his undoing.