By Orville Clarke, Freelance WriterTHE Long Shot Trophy, to be contested in two divisions by $100,000 claimers over 1300m, is the feature event on today's nine-race programme at Caymanas Park.
Eleven starters have been declared for each section and from the look of things, keen competition is anticipated.
Leading lights in Division I are the recent winners FRENCH MINISTER and LITTLE M along with RASCALA, STAR TREK, HIGH FIVE, ONE SON and SONG SO SWEET.
FRENCH MINISTER will more than likely start favourite under leading jockey Trevor Simpson after beating a good field over 1200 metres on Ash Wednesday to post her second win from her past three starts. She led home POINT GUARD and RASCALA by 2 3/4 and 1 1/4 lengths respectively and renews the rivalry with the latter on 1.5kg better terms today.
FRENCH MINISTER will find the additional 1000 metres no obstacle and while consistent RASCALA has been knocking at the door in recent races, following up with a good second to BLAZING SILVER over 1400 metres on February 23, FRENCH MINISTER still looks the one to beat.
RASCALA, though, will only go down fighting over her pet trip, while others such as STAR TREK, SONG SO SWEET, ONE SON and recent winner LITTLE M, now up a bit in the weights, should ensure FRENCH MINISTER is extended.
Division II should see the fleet-footed TIME AFTER TIME, YOUNG DOCTOR, INDULGE YOURSELF, BIG COUNTRY, INCISAL EDGE and SANDBAGGER in contention where it matters.
YOUNG DOCTOR will no doubt come in for a lot of support, following up her January 23 near miss to BIG COUNTRY over the distance by finishing a good third to BLAZING SILVER and RASCALA over 1300 metres next time out.
INCISAL EDGE finished a good fourth to LITTLE PALIUM over 1100 metres on January 30 and has lowered her sights in a bid for this trophy. She should be at home over the extended trip and along with the front running TIME AFTER TIME, who was just touched off by LITTLE M over 1100m on February 20, will only go down fighting.
The horse to beat, however, is SANDBAGGER who passed the post in front twice in January, only to be disqualified in the first of those on New Year's Day over 1400 metres.
The six-year-old mare ran better than her final placing indicated (prominent for a long way) on February 13 when finishing 8 3/4 lengths 10th to FIGHT FOR LIFE over 1400 metres on a $120,000 tag and is not only stepping down to vie for this trophy, but has been fitted with the tongue tie for this race as well.
Back in action from the convenient mark of 53kg, SANDBAGGER's customary stretch run should prove hard to withstand with Joe Buchanan astride.
Other firm fancies on the card are GLOBAL AFFAIR to stave off MEDIC ON BOARD and MR. LONGINO in the second race for maiden 3-y-os, QUEEN SYMPHONY in the fourth, FRENCH SOUND to repeat in the seventh and ECONOMIC SOLUTION over SOPHISTICATED LADY and MATERIAL BABA in the ninth.
