Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
TIME OF MY LIFE, ridden by champion jockey Omar Walker, staves off the fast-finishing REGGAE RUCKUS (Rayan Wilson) to win the second race over 1100 metres at Caymanas Park on Wednesday. Trained by Tensang Chung, Time Of My life won at odds of 9-5. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer
The season's first two-year-old race, the Starters' Trophy over 400 metres straight, is one of two trophy races at Caymanas Park today.
Also on the 10-race programme is the $325,000-$295,000 claiming race for the Birnamwood Trophy to be contested by 10 starters over 1300 metres.
Champion trainer Wayne DaCosta, who usually does well with his early season two-year-olds, holds the key to the opening Starters' Trophy with CALL OF THE WILD and THREE QUEENS, to be ridden by champion jockey Omar Walker and veteran jockey Vassel Najair, respectively.
Rangy-looking chestnut filly
CALL TO THE WILD is a rangy-looking chestnut filly by Burning Marque out of Call Collect, while THREE QUEENS is a chestnut filly by hot stallion He'stherealthing out of Bold Queen.
Both have looked well forward in condition, but with Walker opting to ride CALL OF THE WILD, she looks the more obvious choice.
CALL OF THE WILD galloped two furlongs out of the gate in 23.2 last Monday morning and looked well within herself. She has been working a shade better than THREE QUEENS and is thus given the edge.
In contrast, the Birnamwood Trophy promises much keener competition among the likes of recent winners SAMMY OH SO and ITALQUEEN, along with BABY RENEE, CAPTAIN BONE, INTROSPECTION and not least, OLE KING COLE, who reports under new management.
The sparingly raced American horse SAMMY OH SO beat a good field over 1500 metres on April 5, staving off the then favourite CAPTAIN BONE by a length despite drifting out in the last furlong.
The five-year-old horse from the stables of Frank Parham should report even fitter in his bid for this trophy and will only go down fighting.
Stepped up in class
The Ryan Darby-trained ITALQUEEN stepped up in class on April 16 and despite traffic problems at the halfway stage, fairly flew in the closing stages to catch PURE JUSTICE on the line over the round five course.
ITALQUEEN is back among her peers today, and with Walker riding her from the convenient mark of 52.0kg, could well repeat.
While having every respect for ITALQUEEN and SAMMY OH SO, the one best equipped to take home this trophy is OLE KING COLE, who looks nice with only 51.0kg.
The five-year-old horse by Royal Minister out of Lady Sailor wasn't disgraced when finishing third to SPACESAVER over 1400 metres on a $330,000 claiming tag when last raced on March 22. Today, he takes a slight drop in class and having looked in good nick under the watchful eye of new trainer Dennis Lee, OLE KING COLE will not go down easily with the trip just perfect.
Appealing proposition
Indeed, a reproduction of his February 9 performance when failing by half a length to catch the useful UNCLE D & ME over 1200 metres on a $420,000 claiming tag, makes him an appealing proposition. Non-claiming apprentice Javour Simpson, who won aboard 14-1 outsider RIGMAROLE on Wednesday, has the ride.
Other firm fancies on the card are RIGGED TO WIN to catch the front running COLLEGE BOY and THANKSWITHASMILE in the second race over 1200 metres, the imported PURE SILK (working well) to make a winning debut in the fourth, LITTLERICHBOY to outfinish PERFECT CHOICE in the sixth, SHE'S THE WIND in the seventh and CHADMAN (better for recent pipe-opener) to stave off DR SOCRATES in the closing overnight allowance race at 1820 metres.
