AD INFINITUM (Brian Harding) gets up in the nick of time to beat the front-running GOOD CITIZEN (Ansel Dancel) in the Governor General's Stakes over 2000 metres at Caymanas Park on Heroes Day. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

Race No. 1 in the Impulse Energy Drink three-race series gets under way at Caymanas Park today, with the $850,000 Impulse Jamaica 3-Y-O Sprint over 1300 metres, to be contested by 13 starters (non winners of two).

The series will continue on Saturday, November 21 with the Impulse Energy Mile for native and imported three-year-olds (non-winners of three lifetime) and concludes on December 13 with the Impulse Energy Drink Cup for native four-year-olds (non-winners of three races) over 1200 metres.

The three expected to carry the bulk of the betting are the lightly raced LORD ADMIRAL, GHOST RAPPER, who ran a blinder in defeat last Saturday when beaten in a blanket finish by JUNGLE QUEEN over 1600 metres and PATARA, who finished third to SAINT CECELIA in this year's 1000 Guineas and the Oaks.

PATARA, who hails from the in-form stables of trainer Anthony 'Baba' Nunes, was a beaten favourite over this trip when last raced on June 24.

Although backed as if defeat was out of the question at 3-5, the bay filly by Pat N Jac, out of Arantxa, finished six lengths sixth to COURT YARD, after racing prominently into the straight.

dangerous opponent

PATARA, however, represents classic form and, based on her maiden win last Boxing Day, when slamming BELLA and RUNIN on EMPTY over 1100 metres in a good time, is a dangerous opponent from her convenient mark of 52.5kg and bustling Dane Nelson aboard.

While GHOST RAPPER and PATARA are sure to go close, the one best equipped to pull it off must be the Norman Palmer-trained LORD ADMIRAL, who was not only unraced as a two-year-old, but started his racing career as late as July 18 this year.

He duly opened his account as the 6-5 favourite over the straight five course on his debut in maiden company, but it was his second outing - when finishing a close second to ANASTASIA over 1400 metres on August 8 - that led many to take stock of this Law Of The Sea-Princess Ellen offspring, as he had subsequent winner JAYLEN behind in third.

Now reprogrammed following a below-par run on September 23, LORD ADMIRAL (working well) should rebound with only 50.5kg and smart apprentice Doushane Gordon aboard. I take him to beat PATARA.

Other firm fancies on the card include the recent course winner, SPACE FURY, to repeat in the Royal Dad Trophy over 1820 metres; BADJEROS ROSE in the second; RED LION in the the sixth; and MARSHALL JIM in the seventh.