By Orville Clarke, Freelance WriterTOP dog DEPUTY'S REPORT goes for his third consecutive cup race win at Caymanas Park today when he takes on six opponents in the $625,000 Eileen Cliggott Trophy over 1300 metres for 'A1' horses.
Fresh from his impressive victory in the valuable Lotto Sprint over 1100 metres on May 19, DEPUTY'S REPORT is back against the usual suspects and despite giving away lumps of weight again, it will take a brave punter to oppose him in present frame of mind.
Indeed, since being fitted with the blinkers on March 24 when landing the Arthur Jones Memorial Trophy over 1200 metres, DEPUTY'S REPORT has chalked up three easy wins from four starts.
Trained by Jose Pinchin, the American five-year-old horse subsequently beat last year's Triple Crown winner I'MSATISFIED and champion sprinter GAILY DECORATED in the Eros Trophy over 1400 metres on May 5 before coming back to win the Lotto Sprint in muddy conditions a fortnight ago.
His only blemish came on April 7 when beaten into fourth place by LET'S GO DANCIN in the Legal Light Trophy over the circular nine course, prompting his owner Larry Heffes to admit that "The Deputy" is vulnerable beyond a mile.
Under a mile it's a completely different story. DEPUTY'S REPORT will find today's distance just perfect and having pleased at exercise on Monday morning, galloping five furlongs in 1:00.3 (ridden easily), whatever beats him will surely win.
PERSONAL NEMESIS, who was second to DEPUTY'S REPORT in the Lotto Sprint, is undoubtedly the fastest in the lineup, but I expect him to be caught by his old rival once again, especially over 1300 metres.
Recent winner RATIFIED was behind both DEPUTY'S REPORT and PERSONAL NEMESIS when managing only fifth in the Lotto Sprint, but did beat a good field (including Personal Nemesis) in the Lady Geeta Trophy over 1200 metres on April 28 and now pretty light with 46.5kg, could make a race of it. And the versatile SOLID IMPACT, though beaten by RATIFIED and DEPUTY'S REPORT in her last two races, has come down sufficiently in the weights to merit exacta consideration.
But they all have DEPUTY'S REPORT and customary pilot Charles Hussey to beat for obvious reasons.
Other firm fancies on the card are SKIPPER WAY to make all at the expense of THE GUSHER and DANCING PRINCESS in the first race, DEBONAIR to catch the front running MEDIATOR and SOUTHERN COMFORT in the 2nd over the circular nine course, ESPRESSO to make all at the expense of fellow Derby hopefuls PATAS DE FUEGO, GLORIOUS STAR and ALEX'S PEGASUS in the 5th and CHECK ME OUT over the in-form course specialist HAWK DEH NEAR and MUTUAL AGREEMENT in the closing straight five claiming race.