Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

Sophia (outside) is driven out by apprentice Carlton Malcolm to win the Glen T. Williamson Cup co-feature over 2000 metres in a driving finish from HEY TRAIN (Larris Allen) at Caymanas Park on Wednesday. Trained by Gary Subratie, SOPHIA won at 6-1. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

UNBEATEN ROAN gelding THE REAL STREAM will attempt to close in on the $1 million bonus when he contests Race No. 2 in the $9.5 million Supreme Ventures 2-Y-O Series, the Pick 3 Super Challenge Trophy over 1400 metres with a purse of $2.75 million.

Sponsor Supreme Ventures Limited is offering a $1 million bonus to the owner of any horse good enough to win all three races in the series. THE REAL STREAM, who is owned by David Crawford, is the only youngster in line to win that bonus, having won the opening race in the series, the Cash Pot Only One For Me Trophy over 1200 metres on October 13.

Ridden by visiting champion jockey Brian Harding, who flew in from his base in Trinidad specifically to ride THE REAL STREAM, the classy son of He'stherealthing out of the Al's River Cat mare Jetstream produced a rare turn of foot to catch his speedy stable companion MR. SKILL in deep stretch, winning by a length.

impressive victory

MR. SKILL subsequently paid tribute to the form with an impressive post-to-post victory over 1300 metres in the valuable MegaFone Juvenile Sprint on November 10. With THE REAL STREAM having trained even better for this race, he will not be easily denied with Harding flying in once again for the ride.

THE REAL STREAM turned heads at exercise last Sunday morning when galloping six furlongs in a fast 1:12.2, the last five in a blazing 58.3.

Before that he galloped 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:06.2 by 59.4. With his preparation complete, he should clear this the second obstacle in his quest for bonus before facing his final test over 1600 metres on Boxing Day in the Supreme Ventures Jamaica 2-Y-O Stakes.

top-notch juvenile

The bay colt distinguished himself as a top-notch juvenile on his debut with a fast-time victory over 1300 metres in the Hi-Pro Stables Choice Feeds Trophy on October 15 (Heroes Day), scoring by 3 1/4 lengths from HEART OF GOLD and THE GUARDIAN, covering the distance in the smart time of 1:19.2.

Highly thought of by his connections, HOMBRE has also worked well in preparation for this lucrative race and reports even better today. He has good speed but coming up against a classy sort such as THE REAL STREAM, will need to be something special in order to upstage him. Other firm fancies on the 11-race programme are MISS PAIGE in the fourth race, IT IS I to lead home the well forward debutante ALSAFRA in the fifth, NUMERO UNO ahead of JACK BE GOOD in the seventh and MAKE THEM LAFF (Lasix on) in the nightpan.