By Orville Clarke, Freelance WriterTOMORROW'S 10-RACE programme at Caymanas Park has attracted large and competitive fields and the task of finding winners could be the stiffest since the start of the year.
There are no carryovers in the Super-6 or Pick-9, but despite this big bucks loom on the horizon, especially in the Pick-9 which offers the guaranteed minimum of $500,000.
The Super-6, as always, will have its support and it is here that I turn my focus of attention. It embraces races five to 10.
The fifth, a 3-y-o and up claiming race ($170,000 - $145,000) over the straight five course, sees 13 declared and with the recent winners DUBAI EXPRESS, MEZZALUNA and INSTRUMENTHAL present, it could prove competitive.
Course specialists MEZZALUNA and INSTRUMENTHAL are both up in class after winning over their pet trip last Saturday, but return pretty light and should be thereabouts at the finish.
Others such as SAMFIE, AIRSPEED and THAT'S GOLD are worthy of superfecta consideration, but the one to beat must surely be DUBAI EXPRESS, to be ridden by in-form apprentice Dane Nelson for champion trainer Wayne DaCosta.
The four-year-old gelding by Kammtarra out of Oaks winner Habitual made nonsense of a good field over 1100 metres when stepping down to this level on January 3 and with his fitness not in doubt, should show INSTRUMENTHAL and company a clean pair of heels.
Race six for maiden four-year-olds over the straight five course, has attracted a maximum field of 16 from which VALID REASON, THAT'S LIFE, MEDICAL SOCA, ARABIAN DANCER and DOUBLE BUCK who races for the first time in just over a year.
HIGH NUMBER DRAW
Despite the lengthy absence, DOUBLE BUCK who has secured a favourable high number draw, could spring a surprise. The 4-y-o colt ran very wide on his initial outing but despite this was only beaten 12 lengths by TURBULENCE. Having caught the eye at exercise in preparation for tomorrow's encounter, the Percy Hussey-trained DOUBLE BUCK is one to fear. Still, my idea of the winner is THAT'S LIFE who finished two lengths fourth to DIXIE MILANO over the round five course on December 6 and was not disgraced behind BLAZING BULLET over the straight in his subsequent race either.
ARABIAN DANCER, who was inches ahead of her in third that day, should also run well, along with VALID REASON who was fifth in the same race.
THE HORSE TO BEAT
ROSY CAT, having taken a significant step down the claiming ladder, is the horse to beat in the seventh race over 1200 metres.
Trained by Richie Todd, the 5-y-o son of Western Cat was beaten by much better horses (Tsunami, White Water) in his last two races and despite the worthwhile claims of ZEALOT and the very fit PHYSICS BOOK, who chased home MEZZALUNA last Saturday, should be hard pressed to contain ROSY CAT at this level.
Consistent COZY PROSPECTOR gets a glorious opportunity to notch a win when he takes on 15 opponents in the eighth race over 1100 metres. The grey colt has finished close up to the likes of CORDITE, PRIME FURY and BLUE CANTREL in his last three races and should be good enough to lead home PRINCESS GOODHEART and FORMULA ONE who has looked well in recent exercise spins.
The ninth race (feature) for the James B. Dawes Memorial Trophy looks tailored for down in class SELENA MYSTIQUE, who finished a close fourth to RED BOOTLACES in the recent Millard Ziadie Cup over 1100 metres.
Having lowered her sights to vie for this trophy, SELENA MYSTIQUE should get first run on old rivals KERMIT and TSUNAMI, then hold them at bay to the wire.
The closing race for $140,000 claimers will more than likely be won by a member of the down in class quartet comprising GANADOR, KYLE'S DIVA, SILVER WEDDING and MAHENDRA EXPRESS. My vote goes to the Anthony Nunes-trained GANADOR to be ridden by title chasing jockey Shane Ellis for the extreme outside draw in the 16-horse field.
SUPER-6 FANCIES
(1) DUBAI EXPRESS
| (2) | THAT'S LIFE/DOUBLE ` |
| BUCK/ARABIAN DANCER |
| (3) | ROSY CAT/PHYSICS |
| BOOK/ZEALOT |
| (4) | COZY PROSPECTOR/FORMULA |
| ONE/PRINCESS GOODHEART |
(5) SELENA MYSTIQUE/
TSUNAMI
(6) GANADOR/SILVER WEDDING/UNWANTED
Oneil Mullings wins appeal
THE JAMAICA Racing Commission on January 15, 2004 heard an appeal by jockey Oneil Mullings against the decision of the Operations Stewards to suspend him for five racedays for interference which his mount JACK'S CHILD caused to MAMA'S BOY approaching the final 200 metres in the eighth race on Saturday, December 27, resulting in the fall of horse and rider.
The suspension had been imposed following an enquiry held by the Stewards on January 6 into Mullings' riding of JACK'S CHILD.
The Commission, after viewing the patrol film of the race and hearing submissions from jockey Mullings, Kerry-Gayl Robinson, rider of MAMA'S BOY, and the Chairman of the Stewards' Panel Mr. Desmond Riley, allowed the appeal and removed the suspension of five racedays from Mullings.
While his appeal was upheld, Mullings received a two-day suspension for careless riding aboard SIR GEE on Saturday, December 27, resulting in the disqualification of his mount.
This suspension takes effect from Saturday, January 31.
Assamba to deliver keynote address
THE MINISTER of Industry & Tourism Aloun Assamba will be the guest speaker at the 15th annual None Such/Horse of the Year Awards Dinner scheduked for the Jamaica Pegasus on the evening of Thursday, February 5.
Among those to be honoured are Trevor Simpson (champion jockey), Wayne DaCosta (champion trainer), Richard Azan (champion owner), Henry W. Jaghai (champion breeder) and Dyruss Ellis (champion groom). Significantly, all are returning champions.
Highlight of the function will be the crowning of 'Horse of the Year'. Leading contender for this coveted award is A KING IS BORN who as a three-year-old in 2003 won the Track Price Plus 2000 Guineas, Red Stripe Derby and Digicel Cup over 1300 metres for top class horses on August 30, this in class record time of 1:16.1. In all, he won five races from six starts.
Entertainment will be provided by Maria Myrie and Harold Davis and Friends. Gate prize is airline tickets for two to attend races at Gulfstream Park in Florida, while second prize is a weekend for two at Beaches Resort & Golf Club. And third prize is one month pass to the North Longe at Caymanas Park.
Cocktails at 7:00 p.m. Contribution $1,800.
