By Orville Clarke,
Freelance Writer
CHAMPION TRAINER Philip Feanny holds a strong hand in today's Caymanas Park holiday co-features, the Starter Handicap 1 & 2 for the Owen Silvera Memorial Cup and the Labour Day Trophy.
Feanny saddles the down in class NEFTENGA in the Labour Day Trophy over 1,200 metres (claiming $330,000-$290,000) and as many as three in the one mile run for the Owen Silvera Memorial Cup (Starter Handicap), led by last year's Triple Crown winner I'MSATISFIED. He also saddles SHE'S SO LOVELY and BODY AND SOUL, both of whom should prove competitive in the field of 11.
On paper, the Owen Silvera Memorial has the makings of a highly-competitive race, what with the presence of I'MSATISFIED, ALEXDIMASTER, REVIEWING, BODY AND SOUL along with the recent winners CIELO MYSTIQUE and ZEEDON, both lightly weighted.
However, I believe I'MSATISFIED, who has stepped with the best horses in the land this season, has the proven class to defy top weight of 57kg in a race of this nature.
True, the four-year-old gelding is yet to win in 'A1' company. But his losing efforts stretching from last December's Lotto Gold Cup, in which he was second to stable-companion LET'S GO DANCIN, have been commendable.
I'MSATISFIED also finished second to subsequent 'Horse of the Year' MENUDO in the Harry Jackson Memorial Cup last Boxing Day. And this year he has gone close in two races, the most recent on May 5 when a fast-finishing second to 'horse of the moment' DEPUTY'S REPORT in the valuable Eros Trophy over 1,400m.
Now up against the second XI and facing his easiest task for some time, I'MSATISFIED should pack too many guns for rivals in the straight. He has moved impressively at exercise coming into this race and should win from old rivals ALEXDIMASTER and REVIEWING, the only other horses with 'A1' experience in the lineup.
Leading all-time jockey Winston Griffiths who teamed up with I'MSATISFIED to win last year's Triple Crown series, again has the ride.
Nine starters have been declared for the Labour Day Trophy, including the likely favourite NEFTENGA (working well) who looks a cinch from his convenient mark of 52kg and former champion Percy Williams up.
The six-year-old bay gelding has beaten better in the not-too-distant past and despite the claims of his former stable-companion WYLE COYOTE, the speedy PURPLE HEART (will have to be caught) and the very fit STRAIGHT SIX, his final rattle will prove hard to withstand.
When last raced on March 31, NEFTENGA stayed on well to finish 2 1/2 lengths fifth to stable-companion PERSONAL NEMESIS over the straight five course. And weeks before that he was a close third to champion sprinter GAILY DECORATED in the Abe Issa Memorial Cup over today's trip on February 17. The quality of those performances makes him the one to beat.
Other firm fancies on the card are LADY MUNCH (knocking at the door) to catch STAR TREK and LADY BIRD in the first race, SUAVE NATIVE (aimed too low) to upstage recent winner CHAMPAGNE CREW and HYDE PARK in the second, lightly raced JETSTREAM (working well, has tremendous scope) over SARATOGA STAR and LADY VIGOROUS in the fourth and EL MATADOR (unlucky on last) to catch SIR KISSON LAL and WINNING CHOICE in the fifth.
