Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer
ALSAFRA, with Brian Harding aboard, streaks to victory in yesterday's Bigga Jamaica Oaks over 2000 metres at Caymanas Park.

Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

GUINEAS WINNER ALSAFRA turned the 69th running of the Bigga Jamaica Oaks into a procession at Caymanas Park yesterday, slamming 2-1 favourite IT IS I by all of 8 3/4 lengths.

A maximum field of 16 native bred three-year-old fillies contested the mile and a quarter classic, which was sponsored for the first time by Wisynco under its Bigga soft-drinks brand.

As it was in the April 5 Jamaica Licensed Bookmakers 1000 Guineas over 1600 metres, the first three finished in the identical order once again, only this time ALSAFRA, who beat IT IS I in a driving finish that day, reported a different animal to beat the Anthony Nunes-trained filly by the proverbial city block.

A peach of a ride

Installed a 5-2 second favourite, ALSAFRA was given a peach of a ride by two-time champion jockey Brian Harding, who flew in from his base in Trinidad to ride her once again.

She raced prominently on the inside passing the stands for the first time as the 99-1 outsider I'M MAGIC with Paul Ramsay aboard led from another outsider, LITTLE BAY, and 5-1 chance AHWHOFAH under title-chasing jockey Dane Nelson with IT IS I, under former champion jockey Shane Ellis, out not far behind on the rails.

As they sorted themselves out, ALSAFRA and STAR OF THE SEA (17-1) soon went in chase of I'M MAGIC who was two lengths clear at the halfway stage. But ALSAFRA was always moving sweetly on the rails and after going by I'M MAGIC on the inside leaving the half mile, opened up the throttle to turn for home five lengths clear of STAR OF THE SEA.

Thereafter, it was smooth sailing as she breezed home in the smart time of 2:07.1, clear of IT IS I with another five lengths to HEART OF GOLD under champion jockey Omar Walker in third. Fourth went to 7-1 chance GIRLOFMYDREAMS with leading all-time jockey Winston Griffiths up.

A chestnut filly by Legal Process out of the 2007 champion broodmare Tee Gee Vee, ALSAFRA is co-owned by Sherman Clachar and Norman Gordon, trained by Fitznahum Williams, who controls a small string of horses, and bred by many-time champion breeder Henry Jaghai. This was her fourth win from eight career starts with total stakes of $3.8 million.

According to her owners, ALSAFRA will miss the May 17 Governor's Cup (Lotto Classic). She will instead be prepared for the June 14 Digicel Derby where she will come face to face with top colts ROYAL IMAGE and COMMANDER ZERO.

A dream season

Williams, who is having a dream season, duly posted his second classic winner.

"I told the jockey it won't be a race and this romp was not the least surprising," said the confident trainer.

Harding, who finished second five times at the Jamaica Day meet at Santa Rosa in Trinidad and Tobago the previous Saturday, made amends with a sparkling four-timer comprising ALSAFRA, MOUNT DIABLO (8-5), FIRST TIME LUCKY (4-1) and SUPER DAVE (4-5), who made all impressively in the closing race.

The day's co-feature for the Lady Geeta Trophy (grade one) over 1200m, provided the Noel Ennevor-trained MEDICAL REPORT (Walker up) with his fourth consecutive win.