Go with Terra Firma

Orville Clarke,Freelance Writer

TODAY's well supported holiday programme will be highlighted by the $310,000 - $270,000 claiming for the Labour Day Trophy over 1200 metres.

Ten starters have been declared for the feature, including the likely favourite TERRA FIRMA who won the Easter Sprint Cup over the same distance when last raced on April 24 (Easter Monday).

TERRA FIRMA, with apprentice Kenyatta Davis again riding, can expect stiff opposition from Wayne DaCosta's DELAY OF GAME, INDIAN RAJA, POINT GUARD, PRINCE ADAM and the fleet-footed HERE'S MY GIRL.

But a close examination of the form will reveal that TERRA FIRMA is the right choice from his convenient mark of 51.0kg.

Trained by Steadman Curtis, the five-year-old gelding by The Medic out of the 1990 Oaks winner Millford Sound stormed through approaching the distance to beat a good field in the Easter Sprint Cup, his victims including DELAY OF GAME (third) and POINT GUARD (fifth).

With POINT GUARD coming back to beat some good horses over the distance on May 6, this speak volumes for the chances of TERRA FIRMA who is only 1.0kg worse off at the weights today.

Since winning the Easter Sprint, TERRA FIRMA ventured into overnight allowance company on May 3 and was far from disgraced when finishing 5 3/4 lengths sixth (staying on) to the fleet-footed PALIMONY in the Joe DeCordova Memorial Cup, again over 1200 metres.

Now stepping down to claiming company, TERRA FIRMA is tipped to resume winning ways.

He has worked really well in preparation for this race and despite the claims of DELAY OF GAME, POINT GUARD, INDIAN RAJA and PRINCE ADAM, who seems to be settling down to his racing of late, it has to be the very fit TERRA FIRMA.

Other firm fancies on the programme are RUDE BOY to pip old rival LADY SOLO in the third race, STRIKE ZONE over OSHIN, MAJESTIC LIGHT and DEPUTYCOMMISSIONER in the fourth for maiden four-year-olds, PAPA DON'T PREACH over WYLE COYOTE in the 5th, PFEIFFER to catch the front running EXPUNGER and SIR KISMORE KUMAR in the 6th and the Track Price 2000 Guineas winner I'MSATISFIED to lead home stable-companion SOLID IMPACT in the seventh race, his Derby prep after missing Saturday's Lotto Classic for the Governor's Cup.

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