Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
TODAY'S MODERATELY supported Caymanas Park 10-race programme is highlighted by the annual 1300m run for the Racing Pools Trophy, a Restricted Allowance VI for four-year-olds and up (non-winners of three).
Ten starters have been declared, including the recent winners BLOODY MARY, SAID I SAID I and RAZZIQ. Also slated are ROYAL ENCOUNTER, ROYAL FLIGHT and YES OR NO, all winners in recent weeks, while others such as GENTLE RIVER CAT, VISIONARY and DANCING FLAMES should help complicate matters.
Realistically, the group from which I expect the winner to emerge comprise BLOODY MARY, ROYAL ENCOUNTER, ROYAL FLIGHT, GENTLE RIVER CAT, VISIONARY and last but not least, DANCING FLAMES.
BLOODY MARY, a consistent sort, scored a long overdue win over the distance on January 26 when powering home by 8 1/2 lengths from FRET THEM in the fairly good time of 1:20.4 and even with more to do in present company, should bring fitness into play and make a brave bid.
ROYAL ENCOUNTER is another contender who is sure to figure in the outcome. Since winning easily over 1200m in a fast time on New Year's Day, she has performed creditably in three races, notably her good second to FROMAJACKTOAKING over a mile on January 12 and her close third to RAINBOW CHASER on January 30. She will not be out of it.
While GENTLE RIVER CAT and VISIONARY (both regaining form) should enter the reckoning on past performances, the one I like best is DANCING FLAMES, to be ridden by Panamanian Ameth Robles for in-form trainer Noel Ennevor.
Although out for the first time since finishing second to KYLE'S DIVA over the circular nine course on December 19, DANCING FLAMES has been kept on the move at exercise to meet this engagement and none will report fitter.
Judging from the quality of her performances at the back end of last season, DANCING FLAMES looks the right choice. The 4-y-o chestnut filly by Splinter Red out of Christmas Dancer last won over 1400 metres on November 10 (Superday), beating ESPRESSO and BLOODY MARY quite easily. And next time out she finished only 1 1/4L third to HEART THROB and FROMAJACKTOAKING over 1300 metres, running on well after coming wide into the straight.
Both HEART THROB and FROMAJACKTOAKING finished first and second respectively in non winners of four last Saturday. That speaks volumes for the chances of DANCING LEAVES, who looks nicely in with 53kg.
Other firm fancies on the card are MISS HOLLYWOOD to romp home in the first race for maidens, UNDERSTAND to make up for his near miss against KNOWLEDGE on January 30 to rebound at STACKA'S expense in the third race, SATISFIER who is knocking at the door to stave off the well forward debutants PRETTYPRESUMPTOUS and ROY'STOY in the fourth, the well prepared YOUNG FOR ALL in the fifth and Saturday's scorer HEART THROB (super fit) to stave off BISTRO, PATAS DE FUEGO, FABRIKATOR and REVIEWING in the knotty overnight allowance race over 1800 to be contested by 11 overnight allowance horses.
