Trainer Richard Laming's decision to stay at home has been vindicated with Jamaican Rain leading throughout to win at Caulfield.
Laming had the six-year-old entered for the Millie Fox Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday but chose to stay at home to contest the Group Three Mannerism Stakes.
It proved wise as Jamaican Rain ($6), ridden by Damien Oliver, held off Naantali ($4.40) by three-quarters-of-a-length with Teleplay ($11) a half-length away third.
Jamaican Rain has shown a liking for soft ground and that was in the back of Laming's mind deciding between Saturday's Caulfield and Rosehill options.
“I thought about it for three hours before deciding to stay home,” Laming said.
“I was getting pressure from the owners to go to Sydney. There were plenty of reasons not to go and I wanted to stay and play in my own backyard.
“But Sydney is likely where she'll go next and we'll pray for a bit of rain.”
Sydney options for the mare include the Aspiration Stakes at Randwick on March 9 and the Group One Coolmore Classic at Rosehill a week later.
Laming said Jamaican Rain had trialled well leading into Saturday's race and he'd left tactics to Oliver.
“He got away with some nice sections and kicked at the top of the straight,” Laming said.
“It was no surprise but it's always good to get the job done on raceday.”
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