Sheisamaharanee for Dr Grey Memorial Cup

Published: Wednesday | August 26, 2009


Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer


Sir ARCHIBALD, running as the 4-5 favourite with former champion jockey Trevor Simpson aboard, cruises home by 4 1/2 lengths in the ninth race over the straight five course at Caymanas Park last Saturday, to complete a double for trainer Spencer Chung on the 12-race programme. Chung also won with Patta in the third race. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

Three-year-olds take the spotlight at Caymanas Park today when nine maidens face the starter for the Dr Clifford Grey Memorial Cup over 1300 metres. Also on the the eight-race programme, which kicks of at 2 p.m. but will be supplemented by simulcast racing from Saratoga, is the 3-y-o and up overnight allowance race over 1820 metres in which the progressive three-year-old colt, UNDAUNTED, bids for his fourth consecutive win.

The Richie Todd-trained UNDAUNTED faces what amounts to his sternest test against such seasoned campaigners as LIKKLE BIT, PRIME MINISTER and SLOGAN, all fit and raring to go.

Having won in fast time over 1500 metres (1:31.3) when completing the hat-trick on August 15, UNDAUNTED, with two-time champion jockey Brian Harding aboard, looks the type to follow in present frame of mind.

The bay colt by Spacelink out of Chinua will have no problems with the distance, and despite the sound claims of stable companion and two-turn specialist PRIME MINISTER, as well as the imported colt LIKKLE BIT under champion jockey Omar Walker, UNDAUNTED with 53.0kg will not go down easily.

The Clifford Grey Memorial Cup should also provide keen competition among the likes of SEGURO ORO, SHEISAMAHARANEE, ALLTHEBEST and KING'S LAW.

The Noel Ennevor-trained SEGURO ORO was installed an even-money favourite to win over 1700 metres on August 15, only to disappoint in finishing fourth to FIRE DRAGON.

Prior to that SEGURO ORO finished a good second to OASIS in a fast-run 1500-metre race in which he led narrowly approaching the distance, and on the strength of that performance could recoup losses.

Walker's mount ALLTHEBEST led in tearaway fashion into the straight when finishing third to FIRE DRAGON, and with the trip now reduced can win this from her convenient mark of 52.0kg, based on her six-furlong split of 1:13.0 in that race.

In-form jockey Paul 'Country' Francis has the leg over SHEISAMAHARANEE and based on her last run, this chestnut filly from the stables of Gresford Smith can definitely go one better.

The Burning Marque-Rani Maharanee offspring caught the eye when failing by half a length to catch howling favourite GOLDEN COMPASS over 1200 metres on August 8, and having been kept on the move at exercise is tipped to go one better from the convenient mark of 52.0kg. ALLTHEBEST looks her principal danger.

Other firm fancies on the card are JACK N DBOX to make all in the first race, VENICE MELLESA to do likewise in the third for maiden four-year-olds and up, UNBREAKABLE HEART to stave off MARK TO MARKET in the fifth over the straight and RUNIN on EMPTY to stave off MING LEI and JUNGLE QUEEN in the closing Track Price Plus Dig Out Handicap over 1200 metres.