Native-bred maiden two-year-old colts and geldings will occupy centre stage at Caymanas Park today, in the round five Stewards' Cup to be contested by eight starters.

The field includes four newcomers, two from the stables of top-10 trainer Gary Subratie, DOUBLE CENTURY and SAEED, and one from the stables of 14-time champion trainer Philip Feanny, MAJESTIC.

All are well forward and it could be that they could have the finish to themselves.

Two of those who raced before have proven competitive and should enter the reckoning. They are MUMBAI MAESTRO, from the stables of Morris Powell, and INOJA, who is conditioned by last year's Derby-winning trainer, Fitznahum Williams.

progressive

INOJA has looked improved at exercise since finishing 5 ³/⁴ lengths eighth to FLYING MARGARET over 1100 metres on his August 29 debut and this dark bay colt, by Image Maker out of the Al's River Cat mare Jetstream, is poised to get significantly clo-ser, with the figure eight now fitted. Shane Ellis, who rode three winners on Wednesday, has the ride.

Of the two Subratie-trained horses, DOUBLE CENTURY has looked the more progressive.

Owned by former government minister, Don Wehby, this well-conformed bay colt, by Double Honor out of Spirit Of The Soul, came here in utero, and with none of the really good two-year-olds present, he should seize the opportunity to get off the mark right away.

DOUBLE CENTURY caught the eye at exercise on Sunday, September 13 when galloping three furlongs in 35.3.

He came back on September 21 to clock 48.4 easily for four furlongs and, having shown good speed in the mornings, should make no mistake with five-time champion jockey Trevor Simpson taking the ride.

Feanny's MAJESTIC, a chestnut colt, by Royal Minister out of Purple Heart, has also pleased in his preparation and should ensure that DOUBLE CENTURY works for the money.

interesting races

One of the more interesting races on the 10-race programme is the ninth, a restricted stakes for native and imported horses over 1820 metres.

Included in the 10-strong field are the improving American gelding NEW KINGSTON, who bids for a hat-trick of wins, this year's Derby third POSEIDON, as well as the useful pair of SPACE FURY and the St Leger third GO ROBIN GO, not to mention SIR VALIANT.

All of the above-metioned are ideally suited to the distance, but judging from the manner in which the Wayne DaCosta-trained NEW KINGSTON sprinted clear of rivals when scoring over 1600 metres recently, he should be good enough to defy top weight of 57.0kg.

He beat the second horse, POSEIDON, by four lengths that day and, having worked brilliantly for this race, should win from POSEIDON and GO ROBIN GO.

I also like PATTA to win the third race, SINGINGINTHERAIN in the fifth, RIGGED TO WIN in the knotty-looking sixth race, FUGITIVE in the seventh and HARDWAR PRINCE under female apprentice Georgina Sergeon in the nightpan.