NATIVE bred maiden two-year-olds take the spotlight at Caymanas Park today in the annual renewal of the Andrew H.B. Aguilar Memorial Cup over 1600 metres.
Among the nine starters is the lightly raced MR. METICULOUS who was highly fancied at 2-1 to win on his October 25 debut, only to disappoint.
Despite this, MR. METICULOUS will be a lot better for the experience and should prove a different proposition in his bid for this trophy.
By Exotic Traveller out of the 1994 1000 Guineas winner Melissa's Song, this well-bred colt showed up prominently for 600 metres in a round five race won by WHITE WATER, eventually weakening to finish 13L sixth.
Since them he has been taken to task at exercise by trainer Michael Mattis and being bred to make his mark over middle and longer distances, should welcome the extended trip.
MR. METICULOUS will also relish the milder pace and with nothing really outstanding in the lineup, should seize the opportunity to open his account with leading all-time jockey Winston Griffiths aboard.
Still, he can expect stiff opposition from the two most experienced runners, KYLE'S DIVA and AKIODA, as well as the Anthony Nunes-trained EMPERADOR, who has looked much improved at exercise since last raced on October 4.
MR. METICULOUS is potentially a better animal than either KYLE'S DIVA or AKIODA, but should he put a foot wrong they will be right there to capitalise.
AKIODA, in particular, has finished second in five of her past seven races. The bay filly from the stables of Richard Azan decked her rider at the start when highly fancied on November 25, but before that had run some useful races in defeat and should make her presence felt.
Over a mile, however, the principal danger to MR. METICULOUS is the Andrew Nunes-trained KYLE'S DIVA, who was a good second to L.S.C. CHOICE over 1500 metres on November 22. The bay filly by The Medic out of Kyle's Girl came back to finish third to SELENA MYSTIQUE in the Abbie Grannum Memorial Cup over 1400 metres on December 2, losing second in the final strides to BRAVADO.
While I expect good efforts from KYLE'S DIVA and AKIODA as well as an improved performance from EMPERADOR, MR. METICULOUS, now fit and ready, should pack too many guns for rivals.
Other firm fancies on the card are win-shy SIR RAMNATH GUPTA to romp the opening race where he has little to beat; JAMIE FOR DAD to stave off GIMME A DOLLAR in the third; VICTORY SPUR to win the battle royal with DISTINCTIVE BLEND and SELENA MYSTIQUE in the fifth, fleet-footed DIRECTIONAL SIGN to stave off RESTLESS PIRATE and CHINUA in the eighth and topweight CIELO MYSTIQUE to catch MATANAH and CATCH THE RUMOUR in the 10th.
Meanwhile, former champion jockey, Wesley 'Calaloo' Henry flew into the island Monday from New York to resume riding at Caymanas Park this Saturday.
Henry has secured the ride aboard triple crown winner I'MSATISFIED for top trainer Philip Feanny in the $1.25 million Lotto Gold Cup feature, to be contested by 11 top class horses over 1400m.
Henry was champion jockey in 1997.
By Orville Clarke
Freelance Writer
