Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

AHWHOFAH, the reigning champion sprinter, should defy top weight of 60.5kg when she faces six opponents in today's Caymanas Park 50th Anniversary Trophy race (grade one) over 1400 metres.

The commemorative race, put on to mark the golden anniversary of Caymanas Park which was opened on Saturday, August 22, 1959 - 50 years to the day - offers a total purse of $1.25 million.

Significantly, four of the seven starters hail from the stable of champion trainer Wayne DaCosta who continues to enjoy a commanding lead in the trainers' standings.

The quartet is led by hat-trick seeker AHWHOFAH, who has been allotted top weight of 60.5kg with stable jockey and reigning champion Omar Walker again in the saddle, CHADMAN (58.5kg) with Clive Lynch slated, RACING MACHINE (49.0kg) under Carlton Malcolm and THE GUARDIAN (48.0kg) with Panamanian jockey Dick Cardenas down to ride.

Other competitors

Completing the field are MEDICAL REPORT (52.5kg) with in-form jockey Paul 'Country' Francis, SHANGHAI PASS (50.0kg) under five-time champion Trevor Simpson and GOOD CITIZEN (49.0kg) with Jason Simpson slated.

Incidentally, Cardenas, who has been enjoying a successful season, returns to the saddle after a three-week absence, during which his work permit was cancelled by the Husseys for alledged breach of contract.

As a result, the 25-year-old jockey was forced to fly home to Panama on August 4, but thanks to the efforts of certain trainers, who intervened on his behalf, a new work permit was secured for him.

The 50th Anniversary Trophy race promises keen competition.

AHWHOFAH, who is coming off an impressive fast-time win under top weight in the She's On Wheels Trophy over 1100 metres on July 25, represents the class horse of the field and is tipped to defy the big weight with stable jockey Walker sticking with the ride.

Powerful stretch runs

She won the CTL Gold Cup over the distance last December and her powerful stretch runs usually pay dividends.

The Gary Subratie-trained American colt, SHANGHAI PASS, has been eased considerably in the weights and should make a brave bid, while the ageing MEDICAL REPORT won the Eros Trophy over the distance in fast time (1:24.4) back in February and should go well in the safe hands of 'Country' Francis.

However, AHWHOFAH was so impressive last time out that weight should hardly stop this train.

Other firm fancies on the well-supported 12-race programme are MARK MY WORD in the opening two-year-old race, TIMOTHY SCOTT in the fourth, MISS ROSE in the fifth, BULLET LINE in the eighth and down in class COMMANDER ZERO in the 10th for overnight allowance horses.