File photos
From left, Musical Maestro, Major Mayer and Distinctly Irish. Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
It's Gold Cup Day at Caymanas Park, the well-supported 12-race programme featuring the 36th running of the popular grade one trophy race over 1400 metres.
Sponsored by Caymanas Track Limited (CTL), the star-studded field of 11 includes the November 10 MegaFone Superstakes winner MAJOR MAYER, the MegaFone Caribbean Sprint champion MUSICAL MAESTRO and, of course, the 2004 'Horse of the Year' DISTINCTLY IRISH - the three horses in line for 'Horse of the Year' honours.
In addition to the highly fancied trio, present are this year's Digicel Derby winner THE BOMBER, as well as last year's Caribbean Sprint champion RAMPAGE, this year's Viceroy Trophy winner LA REINA and recent winner CLASSY BOY PETE.
Class horse
Looking at the Gold Cup field, one has to admit that the handicapper has treated the Michael McIntosh-trained MAJOR MAYER somewhat harshly with 59.0kg. On the flip side, both LA REINA and RAMPAGE have been let in lightly, especially the Anthony Nunes-trained filly LA REINA who, on September 8, beat none other than DISTINCTLY IRISH in the grade one Viceroy Trophy over 1800 metres and, three weeks later, ran MUSICAL MAESTRO to a head in the Reggae Trophy over the straight five course.
Despite his below par effort as the odds-on favourite in the Superstakes, DISTINCTLY IRISH, under customary pilot, five-time champion Winston Griffiths, represents the class horse of the field and cannot be underestimated, even with customary topweight of 60.5 kg.
MAJOR MAYER is undoubtedly the most improved horse this season and his upset win in the Superstakes is testimony to that. The four-year-old chestnut gelding by Sir Lal Bahadur out of Tee Gee Vee ran on strongly along the rails in midstretch to win the mile and quarter Superstakes in a driving finish from MIRACLE MAN and, if anything, will be happier with the shorter distance.
Blessed with good pace, MAJOR MAYER, under customary pilot Richie Mitchell, reports in good nick for this important assignment and despite the weight, I expect him to prove equal to the task.
A winner five times from 11 starts this season, MAJOR MAYER truly impressed when scoring over 1500 metres in open allowance company on October 13, streaking home by 4-1/2 lengths in the smart time of 1:31.1, the fastest time for that distance recorded this year.
The Dwight Chen-trained MUSICAL MAESTRO has also shown considerable improvement this season after finishing fourth in this race last year.
Strong chestnut gelding
The five-year-old son of Royal Minister-Melissa's Song overcame traffic problems from the dreaded number one post position to win the Caribbean Sprint by a length from the fast-finishing CLASSY BOY PETE and the additional furlong will not deter this big, strong chestnut gelding with title-chasing jockey Trevor Simpson seeking a fifth consecutive win with him.
So the scenario is like this: MUSICAL MAESTRO and hat-trick seeker MAJOR MAYER, the two horses on a roll, DISTINCTLY IRISH the proven class horse, and RAMPAGE and LA REINA, two tempting lightweights. I would also add to the mix THE BOMBER, who ran a blinder in the Superstakes and will be gunning to make all.
In a really tough race, MAJOR MAYER catches my fancy, but MUSICAL MAESTRO, THE BOMBER, LA REINA and DISTINCTLY IRISH should ensure he does not have things too easily.
Other firm fancies on the card - FLYING FIRETAIL (third race), HEART OF GOLD in the seventh for the Andrew H.B. Aguilar Memorial Cup for two-year-olds, GOOD COMPANY in the Owners' Association Trophy and TRUE HONOUR to repeat in the 10th.
