JET BLASTER in full stride. - File

JET BLASTER should rebound when he takes on 10 opponents in the Sports Journalists of Jamaica Trophy (claiming $325,000-$295,000) race over 1200 metres at Caymanas Park today, a race he won in 2007.

Trained by Joseph Thomas, the six-year-old bay gelding steps down for this event, following a similar move two years ago when he came down from a $390,000 tag to win this trophy when conditioned by Dwight Chen.

JET BLASTER, to be ridden by leading jockey Dane Nelson, notched his last win over this trip on March 28 when leading home FELICIDAD and TASSY'S WHIP, this after stepping down from $390,000 to $325,000.

On this occasion, JET BLASTER is down from high claiming ($470,000-$440,000) to contest this race following a fair seventh to disqualified winner DANCING SAM over the distance in the Labour Day Trophy, on May 25. He finished 6-1/4 lengths adrift that day and, all in all, was not disgraced with 53.0kg against much better horses.

Now back to his happy hunting ground, JET BLASTER will prove hard to beat, once coming away cleanly.

Still, the son of Market Rally-Born To Be Wild can expect stiff opposition from down in class LITTLEREDCORVETTE, the mount of champion jockey Omar Walker, as well as RAJPUT, the free-running JACK N'D BOX, the very fit PAT ON CALL and also the recent winner MELINDAGATA, who went under in a photo-finish to PLEASURE CRUISE in last year's race.

Best of these must be LITTLEREDCORVETTE, who ran better than his final placing indicated on June 6 when finishing sixth to RANKING over the straight on a $390,000 claiming tag.

The four-year-old son of Splinter Red steps down on the convenient mark of 54.0kg and is poised to fight out the finish with Walker aboard.

Despite his sound claims, JET BLASTER usually has the beating of this class and looks the right choice.

notable fathers

Meanwhile, tomorrow being Father's Day, the well-supported 12-race programme will pay homage to fathers in racing.

In light of this, the races will be named after notable fathers in racing, including Kenneth Mattis, whose sons, Michael and Kevin, followed him into the training profession; Robert Darby Sr, whose two sons are trainers as well; Laurie Hussey, whose sons, Charlie (jockey) and Percy (trainer), have also followed him into the sport; along with veteran trainers Ivan 'Bembe' Smith and Everald Waugh.

Other firm fancies on the card are MR SKILL to make all in the second, QUEEN OF MY HEART to stave off ISLA in the third, CONFETTI in the fourth for maiden three-year-olds, HONEY BUNNY to romp the fifth, KING'S LAW in the sixth and GOOD CITIZEN in the 11th (open allowance) for the Winston Griffiths OD Plaque over 1400 metres.