Orville Clarke, Freelance WriterTHE TWO-year-old graded stakes for the Keeling Memorial Cup over 1100 metres and the 3-y-o and up restricted allowance II (non winners of two) for the Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders Association Trophy of Jamaica over 1400 metres are the co-features on today's pre-Independence 10-race programme at Caymanas Park. Post time is noon.
Only five are slated for the Keeling Memorial and from all indications, it would be foolhardy to oppose DANCE DIXIE who is unbeaten in two starts.
The bay colt from the stables of Percy Hussey romped home by eight lengths in post to post fashion when last raced over the round five course on July 6, having FABULOUS CAT and WARRIOR CHIEF well beaten in the process.
Both renew rivalry today, but the likelihood of either turning the tables on DANCE DIXIE are remote.
JAMAICA JADE, who finished a fair sixth to GENTLE ON LINE over 800 metres straight on her recent debut, will be better for the experience but indications are she is still not ready for a winning effort. That leaves the Richard Azan-trained GENTLE ON LINE who made all for a decisive win on her second outing, July 13, with leading jockey Trevor Simpson again at the helm.
While of definite ability, GENTLE ON LINE seemingly lacks the class of DIXIE DANCER at this stage, yet should finish a clear second. DANCE DIXIE, meanwhile, should make all, giving champion jockey Charles Hussey an arm-chair ride.
Later in the afternoon, REJECT should be good enough to win the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association of Jamaica Trophy if his performances during the first half of the year are anything to go by.
From the stables of champion trainer Philip Feanny, REJECT was just below classic standard, culminating in a seventh place finish to SIMPLY MAGIC in the Red Stripe Derby on June 15.
Prior to that he slammed subsequent winners MR. LONGINO and VIGILANTE by seven lengths over 1500 metres when releasing the maiden certificate on March 23, then failed by a head to stave off HAPHAZARD over the circular nine course on May 4. He then ran RED GENERAL and CAPTAIN BLIGH to a length and quarter over 1500 metres on APRIL 17.
As recent as July 17, REJECT was beaten in a driving finish by PREMIER SOLUTION and is even fitter for today's encounter.
Despite the sound claims of EYEOFTHETIGER, SHAHID and IDITAROD, REJECT should come into his own and give last year's champion apprentice Ramon Parish a long overdue win.
Other firm fancies on the card are recent winner STAR CREEK to repeat at the expense of GRAND BAZAAR in the third, HOT NUMBER to upstage THRILLA IN MANILLA and ROYAL ECHO in the fourth, STAR OF THE MOMENT to catch likely favourite FLAMENCO RED in the seventh and the Feanny-trained RAKKADASH to stop stable-companion VOODOO CHANT in the ninth.
