Watson chases Derby dream with He’s Really OK

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

From the minute he ended up being a fitness instructor, Frederick Watson states his dream was to win the Derby.

That dream might come true on Saturday as Watson saddles among the fancied runners, HE’S REALLY OKAY, in the 89th running of the premier classic, sponsored for the very first time by the United Bookmakers Association.

Owned and reproduced by Patrick Smellie, the three-year-old roan colt by He’stherealthing out of okay Mom went into the Derby photo following his definitive success in the May 23 Lotto Classic for the Governor’s Cup over 2000 metres.

Having actually won that distinguished race at chances of 6-1, Watson is persuaded that it’s truly alright to win the Derby come Saturday.

“I was confident going into the Governor’s Cup and I’m no less confident going into the Derby… He’s Really OK should win,” stated the 44-year-old fitness instructor who acquired his licence in June, 2007, after effectively finishing the Jamaica Racing Commission’s course for assistant fitness instructors.

“Knowing that my horse is reproduced to remain, going the extra 2 furlongs of the Derby will not be an issue. It may be an issue for numerous of them which’s where He’s Really Okay will have their dinner.

“He won the Governor’s Cup in the good time of 2:08.3, which was a full second faster that the time clocked by Saint Cecelia over 10 furlongs in the Oaks a month earlier. So, any way you look at it, He’s Really OK is a dangerous horse,” he argued.

Shopping around

Watson stated that although the owner was looking around for a foreign rider (even calling Rajiv Maragh and Fernando Jara), they have actually chosen to stick to in-form Paul Francis, who rode him in the Governor’s Cup.

“Riding techniques will play an essential function in the result of this Derby. My horse not just remains permanently however has great speed, as he revealed by contesting the lead from a long method in the Governor’s Cup, before going through at the half-mile.

“The horses to see are unquestionably Bruceontheloose and Saint Cecelia, however Francis will understand where to make his relocation.

“Outside of the two class horses I think Jaylen, who was second in the Governor’s Cup, will run another good race as he has lots of scope for improvement,” he stated.

According to Watson, fitting He’s Really okay with the figure-eight for the Governor’s Cup made a distinction.

“This had the effect that when the jockey tries to hold him, his mouth wouldn’t open, making him more relaxed,” he discussed.

Going far

Having actually signed up with the training ranks nearly 2 years back, Watson has actually been silently going far for himself. To date he has actually saddled 16 winners, a lot of in the colours of his leading customer, Smellie, to whom he is permanently grateful.

Considerably, Watson was the very first from the batch of fitness instructors who finished in 2007 to saddle a winner from his very first runner, this beginning July 7 in 2015 when the Smellie-owned MYTHICAL PEGASUS won with Elvis Murray aboard.

Amongst his other winners are POWERFUL BELLE, AMERICAN DON, KRISS MISS, BEAUTIFUL SPACE, ROAD BLOCK, BORN TO RUN and naturally, HE’S REALLY OKAY – all owned by Smellie.

Trained jeweller

A previous trainee of Tivoli Comprehensive High School, Watson, a skilled jeweller, entered into racing as an owner in the early 90s, winning 5 races with the Harry Jaghai-trained STILL A KING, consisting of the Ren Gonzalves Memorial Cup.

He quickly talked to Jaghai as assistant fitness instructor before going on his own 2 years earlier.

By the way, his finishing class of 2007 likewise consisted of fitness instructors Spencer Chung and Dalton Sirjue, both of whom have actually fancied runners in SAINT CECELIA and JAYLEN, respectively, in the Derby.