Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

Race No. 3 in the popular CTL Claiming series ($200,000 and less) over 1200 metres is today's feature race at Caymanas Park where nine races are down for decision. Post time is 12:45 p.m.

Of the 11 declared to contest the event, six were winners last time out and this in itself should make it a highly competitive affair, as is usually the case with this series.

Included in the lineup is QUICK MEDIC who was an 8-1 winner over 1100 metres on Saturday, this on a $240,000 claiming tag.

Trained by Albert Chong, QUICK MEDIC is actually down in class to vie for this trophy and with 3.0kg claiming apprentice Oral Bennett back in the saddle, the eight-year-old gelding should not only start favourite, but fight out the finish in present frame of mind.

QUICK MEDIC will be joined by the very dangerous WINNING MESSAGE, RISING MOON, RUCKUS, ISLAND CIGAR andTYRONE SON, all winners last time out.

RUCKUS scored a 16-1 upset over the straight five course on March 17, holding off the fast-finishing SEGA on a $200,000 tag. The evergreen 11-year-old gelding again has the services of 4.0kg claiming apprentice Omelio Francis and could make it close from the convenient mark of 52.0kg. TYRONE SON ran out a convincing winner of the Long Shot Trophy over 1300 metres on March 10, an this represents a tougher assignment, it is not beyond him to follow up on a $200,000 tag for his new connections.

Now taking orders from Deon Facey, TYRONE SON looks conveniently placed in the scales on 52.0kg and with in-form apprentice Carlton Malcolm again in the saddle, the hint should be taken.

Decisive winner

WINNING MESSAGE won decisively from RUCKUS and KERMIT over this trip when last raced on February 7 and having trained well in preparation for this race, should prove a tough opponent with former champion Wesley 'Callaloo' Henry

The race is not necessarily confined to the 'colony' of recent winners as others such as SEGA. KERMIT and ROCK STAR QUEEN (Lasix on) should help to complicate matters further.

SEGA was a fast-finishing second to RUCKUS over the straight recently and will find the distance ideal. The fact, however, that QUICK MEDIC won as recent as last Saturday in a good time (1.07.4) and is stepping down in class as well, makes him the most appealing proposition in this strong field.

Back in action well drawn on the outside, QUICK MEDIC should stave off WINNING MESSAGE, TYRONE SON and SEGA.

Other firm fancies on the cad are PRINCE TERRON to repeat in the first race for three-year-olds, OK BABY in the second, JET BLASTER (working well) to upstage TWENTY NINE in the fourth, PRINCESS SHEILA in the sixth and the consistent TAKE FIVE over PRINCESS ZANAI in the closing race over 1200 metres.