Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
The impressive ROYAL IMAGE will warm up for the Derby in today's open allowance race over the circular nine course. - File
The brilliant 3-y-o colt ROYAL IMAGE will undergo his Derby prep at Caymanas Park today when he takes on five seasoned campaigners in the $550,000 open allowance race over the circular nine course.
ROYAL IMAGE, with former champion jockey Shane Ellis riding for trainer Anthony 'Baba' Nunes and Barbadian owner Elias Haloute, is out for the first time since his memorable victory over the previously unbeaten COMMANDER ZERO in the April 5 Jamaica Licensed Bookmakers 2000 Guineas over 1600 metres.
With the conditions of weight allotment for next Saturday's Lotto Classic (Governor's Cup) against him, ROYAL IMAGE has elected to bypass that valuable race and instead use today's race as his final preparation for the June 14 Digicel Derby.
Back in this small field and working exceptionally well, it will take a brave punter to oppose this talented son of Image Dancer - Royal Grind, today.
Among his opponents are his sparingly-raced, stable-companion IL CAIMANO, who was an upset winner of last year's Governor's Cup.
Hat-trick-seeker
Also in the line-up are the bang in form hat-trick-seeker CHIPONYOURSHOULDER, who shoulders top weight of 57kg, THE SMOKER, with champion jockey Omar Walker aboard, as well as up-in-class UNLEADED and the recent winner GRACE MARIE.
ROYAL IMAGE should not only start favourite but win this with authority, thus sending a strong message to his Derby opponents.
To say that he's an exceptional 3-y-o would be an understatement. ROYAL IMAGE has won his past three races by the combined margin of 31 3/4 lengths and is definitely going places fast. He should pack too many guns for IL CAIMANO, THE SMOKER and CHIPONYOURSHOULDER.
Meanwhile, the maximum 16 starters have been declared in the day's restricted allowance feature (non-winners of two) for the Henry George Harrison Sr Memorial Cup over 1300 metres.
Keen competition is anticipated among the likes of MR BUTCHER, RALLYTOMARKET, HELTA SKELTA, HI TECH, SECRET HIDEAWAY and the lightly raced but improving MS MARTHA BRAE.
In a really tough race, HI TECH, with in-form Richie Mitchell riding for trainer Eddie Hamilton, gets the nod over MR BUTCHER, HELTA SKELTA and RALLYTOMARKET, all of whom finished second last time out.
Missed break
This race will be run to suit the stretch-running style of HI TECH whose last run when seventh (beaten 4 3/4 lengths) to the outsider GALLAVANTER over 1200 metres on April 30 can be overlooked as he missed the break and was left with too much to do when turning for home 10 lengths ninth.
Before that, HI TECH (closing fast) failed by three-quarters of a length to catch UNBRIDLED JOY over 1100 metres when apprentice-ridden and now in the strong hands of 'Biah' Mitchell, should make no mistake.
MR BUTCHER, who was narrowly beaten by GREAT SENSATION over 1500 metres on May 3, will be better for that pipeopener and looks the principal danger.
Other firm fancies on the nine-race programme, which will feature the Preakness Stakes on simulcast from Pimlico racetrack in Maryland, are SHAHID in the second race, RED I in the third, TWENTYFIRSTOFJUNE in the fifth and HINDU KUSH in the seventh.
