Orville Clarke, Freelance Reporter

Alsafra is driven out by former champin jockey Brian Harding to stave off IT IS I (Shane Ellis) in the Jamaica Licensed Bookmakers 1000 Guineas over 1600 metres at Caymanas Park on April 5. Both renew rivalry in Saturday's Bigga Jamaica Oaks over 2000 metres. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

ALSAFRA and IT IS I, both of whom fought out the finish of the Jamaica Licensed Bookmakers 1000 Guineas on April 5, renew rivalry at Caymanas Park on Saturday in the 69th running of the Bigga Jamaica Oaks over 2000 metres for native bred three-year-old fillies.

Sponsored by Wisynco for the first time under its Bigga soft drinks brand the Oaks, which offers a total purse of $2.7 million, will more than likely be contested by 16 fillies, including the first five past the post in the recent 1000 Guineas over 1600 metres - ALSAFRA, IT IS I, HEART OF GOLD, PRIDE 'N' GLORY and AHWHOFAH, the beaten Guineas favourite.

Trinidadian jockey Brian Harding will fly in to partner the Fitznahum Williams-trained ALSAFRA once again, while title-chasing jockey Shane Ellis retains the ride on the Anthony 'Baba' Nunes-trained IT IS I.

Intriguing contest

Champion jockey Omar Walker should again have the leg over the Wayne DaCosta-trained HEART OF GOLD whose stable-companion, AHWHOFAH, who beat ALSAFRA in the Thornbird (Guineas Trial) over 1400 metres on March 15, will again be ridden by title-chasing jockey Dane Nelson.

According to Caymanas Track Limited (CTL) racing secretary Denzil Miller Jr., the Bigga Oaks for the Hilma Veira Trophy is shaping up to be an intriguing contest.

"Considering that the Guineas was so close between Alsafra and IT IS I, the race should provide a treat for punters. It should again go down to the wire and given the longer distance of the Oaks, could go either way.

"Not to be ruled out are Heart Of Gold, who was a fast-finishing second to Ahwhofah in the Thornbird Stakes and was third in the 1000 Guineas. She looks the type that will relish the longer distance of the Oaks and along with Ahwhofah cannot be left out of calculations," said Miller.

In keeping with the Ladies Day theme for Oaks Day, CTL in association with the Wisynco Group will be honouring women of distinction in a select professional field.

In 2000 select women in the media were honoured, followed by nurses in 2002 and women in tourism in 2004. In 2005 it was women in the arts, women in education in 2006 and last year the honour was bestowed on women in the field of sports. This time around six women ambassadors will be honoured.

Wisynco has donated $1 million to purses on the day - $700,000 going directly to the purse of the Oaks and $300,000 to six other races on the card. The main supporting feature is the grade one Lady Geeta Trophy over 1200 metres with a purse of $900,000.