Mystery virus affecting horses at Caymanas Park

A mystery virus among the horse population at Caymanas Park affected several runners on the 11-race Ash Wednesday programme as fifteen of the sixteen late non-starters were said to be sick. Senior veterinarian at the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) Dr St Aubyn Bartlett told Radio Jamaica Sports that since last Tuesday, several horses have been refusing the pellet type of feed, adding that a few have also shown elevated temperature levels.

However, Dr Bartlett pointed out that more tests will be conducted in the coming days to determine the exact nature and possible cause of the virus. He aslo noted that while some horses have been refusing to eat the pellet type of feed, they have taken grass and hay.

Among the trainers whose stables have been seriously affected are 18-time former champion Wayne DaCosta who has had 15 of his 67 horses coming down with the virus, while Gary Subratie and Ian Parsard have each had 11 of their horses affected.
 
The virus has also resulted in the rescheduling of the race programme which had been slated for this coming Saturday.  With a number of the entries being affected, the meet has now been rescheduled for next Wednesday, March 4.

Meanwhile, even-money favourite Prince Charles was one of three winners for apprentice Reyan Lewis on the Ash Wednesday programme. He was made to work for The Ash Wednesday Trophy, a non-restricted Overnight Allowance contest, going over 6 furlongs and a half furlongs.

The 4 year old chestnut gelding who took the lead from Harry's Train had to stave off the fast finishing Wartime in a driving finish. Prince Charles won by a short head in 1 minute, 20 seconds to close a double for champion trainer Anthony "Baba" Nunes.