Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
BORDER PATROL (right) falls to the grey filly PAGEE PRINCESS in the sixth race over 1000 metres for maiden three-year-olds at Caymanas Park on September 12. BORDER PATROL should win today's feature, the Dr. Clifford Grey Memorial Cup. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer
FOURTEEN maiden three-year-olds are down to contest the Dr. Clifford Grey Memorial Cup feature over over 1300 metres at Caymanas Park this afternoon.
The moderately supported nine-race programme commences at 1:15 p.m.Among the starters are the likely favourite BORDER PATROL, who has been knocking at the door; MOUNT DIABLO and SHADOWS, who are both on the improve, SHE'S THE WIND, JJ'S RED ROCKET and the lightly aced TIMOTHY SCOTT, who returns from an 11-month absence in good nick.
Despite the lengthy absence, TIMOTHY SCOTT, from the stables of Colin Blair, could well be a better animal than these, having finished second (made most) to RUM TALK over the round five course on his racecourse debut as a two-year-old on November 18 last year.
Owned by New Blue Limited, the bay colt by Outrigger out of World Of Light was beaten only 2 3/4 lengths by RUM TALK, and back in action fairly well trained could do so on a winning note, especially with hot apprentice Omar Walker, the leading jockey, aboard.
Preference, however, is for the Ralph Porter-trained BORDER PATROL, even though proving expensive to follow. The speedy three-year-old colt by Hail Orphan out of Peaceful Girl was caught on the wire by a very fast-finishing PAGEE PRINCESS over the round five course on September 12. He was installed favourite for his next two races, only to find one two good in both.
Caught and beaten
BORDER PATROL was caught and beaten by HAIL THE GENIUS over 1500 metres on October 3 and nine days later was overhauled by EARTHWIND-ANDFIRE over 1600 metres.
He will appreciate the reduced trip and back in action from the convenient mark of 53kg by virtue of apprentice Jason Simpson's 2kg claiming allowance, BORDER PATROL should recoup losses as main rival TIMOTHY SCOTT might just be in need of the race.
MOUNT DIABLO, now assured of stronger handling after that near miss over the straight recently, along with JJ'S RED ROCKET, SHE'S THE WIND and HI-TECH could complete the hi-five.
Elsewhere on the programme, the open allowance sprint has attracted only seven starters, but it should be an interesting contest with the likes of UNKNOWN VARIABLE, COMMANDING LIGHT along with the recent winners MEDICAL REPORT and FREE FALL (who won in the lower class on Saturday) present.
MEDICAL REPORT was most impressive when scoring by six lengths from FREE FALL at this level over 1100 metres in the smart time of 1:05.2 on October 3, and back in action with the identical weight of 55.0kg and Walker again in the saddle ought to be followed.
I also like UNCLE D & ME in the second race, TOCUMEN in the fourth, LA'S DANCER in the sixth and the recent course winner PRINCESS SHEILA to repeat at the expense of YOSHI and IMPERIALIST in the seventh over the straight five course.
