By V. Lloyd Simpson, ContributorFOUR Titans of overwhelming repute go to post to settle the outcome of this year's prestigious Red Stripe Superstakes to be run over 2000 metres on Saturday at Caymanas Park: Menudo, I'm Satisfied, Millimetre and the filly Awesome Power.
Another one who could feature prominently in the event without actually winning, thereby adding more spectacle to proceedings is Phareal.
Phareal was the winner of the Prince Consort Stakes and has some amount of staying potential.
I mention Phareal in the proceedings because pacemaking is always an important function which determines how a race will be run. Hence he could be a veritable fly in the ointment as a spoiler of chances.
One aspect of the event is that it is expected to be a stirring battle between the three-year-olds and the older horses. Millimetre won the Guineas, the St. Leger and the WITRA Classic which demonstrates improvement, while Awesome Power annexed the Guineas, Jamaica Oaks and the Derby amassing top earnings of $4,602,800 over the period of nine months from January to October.
Menudo, on the other side of the battle on behalf of the older horses, won the Supertakes in 1999 and 2000 ending up horse-of-the-year in 2000. By The Medic out of the mare Making Peace by The Peacemaker the five-year-old chestnut horse made a meal of the four-year-old triple crown winner of last year I'm Satisfied in the Harry Jackson Memorial run over 2400 metres on Boxing Day, winning by 2 3/4 lengths after allowing 3 kg. When one compares Menudo's time of 2.33.0 that day with Awesome Power's time of 2.36.2 for the Derby it is clear that neither I'm Satisfied nor Awesome Power will be able to withstand Menudo's performance on Saturday. And as to Millimetre who could only muster 2.07.1 in the St. Leger (beating Awesome Power in the process after allowing 2 kg) that time for the distance will not be good enough to handle Menudo.
On October 15 in the Governor-General Stakes, Menudo returned 2.06.0 under the crushing weight of 59 kg. He carries 57 kg on Saturday which makes him considerably better off against Millimetre as well.
It should not be a race for Menudo on Saturday, but a veritable demolition job in whatever manner the pace of the race unfolds. If his three rivals of repute wait until 1000 metres out to step up the pace, it will make no difference to Menudo if the heat is turned on coming out of the bend.
After the Menudo win, the Richard Azan-trained warrior will have annexed the Superstakes three years in succession, a feat that The Viceroy did not achieve though winning three times.
