Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
SEATTLE'S GIRL (No.7) is the one to beat in today's Gladiator Trophy over 1400 metres. - RICARDO MAKYN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
THREE TROPHIES are up for grabs on today's midweek programme at Caymanas Park, including the three-year-old and up open allowance race for the Gladiator Trophy over 1400 metres.
Also on the card are the Restricted Allowance IV for the Glen T. Williamson Cup over 2000 metres and the opening Rameses Trophy race (Restricted Allowance I) to be contested by six starters over a mile.
SEATTLE'S GIRL is one of seven declared for the 3-y-o and up overnight allowance for the Gladiator Trophy and I AM PAID FOR, one of six starters for the opening Rameses Trophy race (Restricted Allowance I) over 1600 metres.
STRONG CHANCES
The Dwight Chen-trained American filly SEATTLE'S GIRL ran so well when chasing home the impressive CLOCK WORK in the fast-run Red Stripe Mile for imported horses on November 12 that she should pack too many guns for consistent top weight THE MINISTER and recent winner CHOSEN ONE in a field of seven.
She stayed on well to beat none other than EXPLOSIVE PEAK for second in that race after Peter McMaster's filly had won five consecutive races, including the RJR Classic and million dollar CTL Imported Stakes.
This speaks volumes for the chances of SEATTLE'S GIRL, who runs from the convenient mark of 51kg with in-form champion jockey Trevor Simpson now taking the ride.
Meanwhile, the Percy Hussey-trained LOCHNESS DRAGON (Charles Hussey up) is among 11 starters declared for the Glen T. Williamson Cup and indications are that the four-year-old gelding will make amends for his near misses against TOBAGO and OH NO GRANDPA in recent races, especially with the distance now perfect.
The small field for the Rameses Trophy includes I AM PAID FOR, the lightly raced American 3-y-o gelding DON LIMPIO to be ridden by title-chasing jockey Brian Harding for trainer Anthony 'Baba' Nunes and also his stable-companion TWEEDSIDE, all capable performers.
The winner should come from the quartet of DON LIMPIO, MORGAN'S RENEGADE, TWEEDSIDE and I AM PAID FOR.
While the imported horses DON LIMPIO and MORGAN'S HERITAGE have been taken to task at exercise and should run well, along with TWEEDSIDE who has also caught the eye at exercise, the one I like best is I AM PAID FOR, who was just below classic standard earlier in the season.
BACK AMONG HIS PEERS
Trained by Welsh Soutar, the late kicking 3-y-o gelding was outclassed by MIRACLE MAN and company in the recent Red Stripe Superstakes, finishing last but one in the 11-strong field. However, he is back among his peers to vie for this trophy and with a mile just perfect, his final rattle should prove hard to withstand.
I AM PAID FOR looked a decent horse when running on strongly to score over 1500 metres on August 31, overcoming a sluggish start to catch subsequent winners ASTRO CRUNCH and SIR KHAN in the last furlong, covering the distance in a decent 1:33.4.
The son of Irish Quest subsequently finished second to ALPHA LUPA and DON'T STAY NAKED in his next two races and on the strength of those performances, should prove too strong for his rivals in the closing stages.
Other firm fancies are PACIFIC PRINCESS (second race), OLYMPIC STAR (fourth), ROOMFORTYNINE (sixth) and GATLIN (10th).
