Owner/breeder Nigel Amin was a proud and very emotional man, after the colt which he bred, Arsalan, came from off the pace to win the feature Royal Colours Classic on February 6 at Santa Rosa Park, Arima. The colt was given a great ride by Rico Hernandez to come, collar and beat the John O'Brien trained, hattrick-seeking colt Super Bird in the final strides of the event.
After coming back and winning the Chief Commander Classic impressively on the turf course, on March 27 Amin said: "I was very emotional, his performance brought tears to my eyes. This was a dream come true. It was long in coming but it did. I knew he was a proper Classic horse and would take all the beating in this year's Classic events."
Amin, however, was disappointed with the run of Arsalan on April 24 when he was beaten by the older horses over 1,750 metres on the main track.
"I was expecting him to run very well if not win but to be beaten 5 1/4 lengths by Star of Wonder is not, what I expected. Really, I am disappointed. The jockey could not hold him going up the back and that may have cost him the race as that is not his normal style of running. When you look back at the race you will see him taking the lead at the far turn. He does not run in that way.
"I don't mind getting beat, but he did not show his true form on that occasion. I am certain he will bounce back," said Amin continued adding: "When he won the Royal Colour's Classic, Rico Hernandez rode a great race. He responded admirably to Rico's urging. Seeing him get up and be running so strongly in the final 300 metres was something worth savouring.
"On his final run he pulled too hard for his own good and that could have cost him the race. Our team changed his diet and his general upkeep. He continues to mature both physically and mentally but he is not quite where we want him to be. We know it will take some time and we are very patient. He will bounce back to his best."
The proud owner Amin expects great things in the future for Arsalan.
"You can buy a good horse but to breed a good horse and see it perform on the track, takes, time and patience. Not everyone is able to breed a good horse. Really, performance is what matters. But, from all angles Arsalan will be ready for the first jewel of local racing's 'Triple Crown' and I know he will make us proud," he said.